Holden "is sticking with" Australian Football League side Collingwood despite the Eddie McGuire "drowning" controversy, but has re-directed its funding with a "greater focus on women's football," and community initiatives, according to Daniel Cherny of THE AGE.
The car manufacturer had been reconsidering its deal with one of Australia's biggest sporting clubs, after being "hugely unhappy and extremely disappointed" with Magpies President Eddie McGuire's on-air comments relating to The Age chief football writer Caroline Wilson. Under the newly-shaped agreement, "more than half of Holden's money directed to the club will be streamed to women's and community programs -- many of which have been championed by McGuire." Holden -- already the naming rights sponsor of the Pies' Olympic Boulevard training HQ -- "will become a major partner of the Pies' women's team in the national women's league that begins next year, while the club will work with domestic violence campaigner and former Australian of the Year Rosie Batty to raise awareness for domestic violence." Holden Chair & Managing Dir Mark Bernhard said that the organization "had considered its options before deciding to remain with the Pies." He said, "The easy thing to do would be to walk away from Collingwood, the hard road is to stick together and work side-by-side to champion diversity and continue to drive meaningful change." Holden "will also help launch seminars" promoting the professional development of women featuring two Collingwood board members: Winter Olympics Gold Medalist Alisa Camplin and Blackmores CEO Christine Holgate (THE AGE, 7/11).
