Kia revs up State footy rivalry with new partnership announcement

The SANFL and WAFL are thrilled to announce that proud partner Kia is extending its support for State football as new Naming Rights Partner for the prestigious SA v WA State Game.

The new multi-year agreement with Kia has guaranteed the continuation of one of the longest Australian football traditions between the two rival State Leagues which began in 1904.

The 2023 Kia State Game will see the West End SA State Team host the Kia WA State Team at the iconic Adelaide Oval next Friday, May 19.

It will be the 98^th time that the two States will have met, with a remarkable 49-48 win-loss record in favour of SA.

Kia already has a longstanding partnership with the SANFL and WAFL as official vehicle partner for both State Leagues and supporter of grassroots community football across both States.

SANFL CEO Darren Chandler said that thanks to the tremendous support of Kia, the historic football tradition between SA and WA would continue to thrive well into the future.

“Both SA and WA have a strong and rich football history and pride themselves on the quality, standard and success of their elite State League competitions,” Mr Chandler said.

“The Kia State Game not only provides us with an opportunity to showcase our best players on a national stage, but ensures these players enjoy the ultimate honour of wearing the cherished State guernsey at senior level.”

WAFC Chief Executive Michael Roberts has thanked Kia for their great contribution to the game.

“The WAFL has enjoyed a fruitful partnership with Kia for many years and to have them on board for two years at State level is another example of their commitment to the game in WA,” Mr Roberts said.

Dean Norbiato – General Manager, Marketing at Kia Australia says the deal is a great fit for the company.

“We love our footy at Kia and are pumped to support a State v State game with over 100 years of history.

“The WAFL and SANFL are both great partners of ours, so the fit was obvious, but it makes backing a winner in the Kia State Game like picking your favourite child,” he said.

The Kia State Game will be held at 3:10pm on Friday, May 19 as a curtain raiser to the Port Adelaide v Melbourne AFL match.

South Australia will be looking to claim its fourth Haydn Bunton Junior Cup in succession, having defeated WA on the previous three occasions in 2019, 2021 and 2022.

The match will be streamed live and free on SANFL Now and the AFL Live Official App and AFL.com.au, as well as a live radio broadcast on 1629 SEN SA and the SEN App.