23 May 2008

Victoria University will sponsor the AFL match between the Bulldogs and the Roos this Sunday 25 May. The Bulldogs players will run through a banner at the beginning of the game that says "We've got options, Losing isn't one of them" encouraging potential students to explore study options at VU.

This is the third year that Victoria University has sponsored the 'Bulldogs game' and it is becoming a tradition at VU. The festivities surrounding the game include performers and buskers and an attempt at producing the largest pass-the-parcel ever.

Victoria University Vice Chancellor, Professor Elizabeth Harman is looking forward to Sunday's match, "This is a good opportunity to celebrate our partnership with the Bulldogs. The sponsorship of the game gives us the opportunity to show what we have to offer on a large stage such as Telstra Dome."

Professor Harman believes that the strong partnership between VU and the Western Bulldogs provides many flow on benefits to the communities of Melbourne's west."

"VU's partnership with the Bulldogs brings together two of the most influential organisations in Melbourne's west and by pooling our resources we can bring substantial benefits to families, schools, teachers, social clubs and community groups."

She explains, "Projects like the new exercise science teaching and research facilities at VU's Footscray Park Campus and the state-of-the-art facilities for training, teaching and learning at the Whitten Oval will create a centre for sporting excellence for VU students, for Bulldogs players and for the surrounding community."

Professor Harman says, "Melbourne's west is now the fastest growing region in Melbourne and has strong demand for enhanced education and sports facilities to support wellbeing in a diverse community and provide opportunities for underprivileged groups and in particular alienated young people."

VU's partnership with the Bulldogs has also been an opportunity for VU to showcase the western region overseas, with talks underway to build a partnership with Leeds Metropolitan University in the UK which has a similar relationship with its local sports teams at Headingley Stadium.

She says, "Partnerships are a key to the future. None of us can do it alone. This community partnership with the Bulldogs draws on the complementary strengths of both organisations to offer new pathways in education and new opportunities for working with local schools and local communities."

Western Bulldogs Chief Executive Campbell Rose says the relationship with Victoria University brought together two icon institutions of the west in a mutually beneficial and rewarding partnership.

He says, "As a part of this partnership we have a number of joint appointments, in addition to a number of programs which are setting a new benchmark in the industry providing a learning environment for students while also benefiting the Bulldogs."

"Having begun with a focus on sports science and business growth, the partnership has achieved success in both. By joining forces, both the Western Bulldogs and VU have been able to assist in the growth and development of students attending or completing courses at VU to gain thorough, hands on, real life experience from participating in strategic work placements within the Western Bulldogs administration, events management and sport science divisions."

Media Contacts:

Victoria University
Ms Christine White, Media Manager, Marketing & Communications Department
Ph: (03) 9919 4322; mobile: 0434 602 884

Western Bulldogs
Stacey Mair, Ph: 0402 818 735