The Fremantle Dockers are under increasing pressure to ditch their $2 million sponsorship deal with oil and gas titan Woodside, with an 8000-strong petition presented to the club’s headquarters on Monday.
Woodside has sponsored the Dockers since the 2010 season with the current deal due to expire in October.
The Dockers are under pressure to ditch the Woodside sponsorship.Credit: Marija Ercegovac
Former West Australian premier Carmen Lawrence and Australian Conservation Foundation First Nations lead Josie Alec delivered the petition, signed by footy fans and nature lovers.
Lawrence, the inaugural Dockers number one ticket holder, said Fremantle had been briefed on the terrible climate impacts of Woodside’s new fossil fuel projects.
“They know what is at stake here,” she said.
“It is not acceptable that in the hottest year ever recorded, Freo would think it is acceptable to keep one of the world’s largest fossil fuel companies as a major sponsor.
“We are urging Fremantle to make the right choice and be on the right side of history.”
Alec said Woodside was using Fremantle to greenwash its image.
“It’s not OK in 2023 to partner with a company that has disrespected First Nations wishes on the Murujuga rock art and that is fuelling climate destruction,” she said.
“Woodside has shown it’s not interested in getting out of fossil fuels.
“The company has new oil projects in the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast of West Africa and massive new gas fields planned in Western Australia.
Woodside's Karratha gas plant.Credit: Aaron Bunch
“All at a time when climate scientists warn we cannot afford any new coal, oil or gas projects if we are to have a safe climate.”
Some signatories on the petition have removed the Woodside logo from their Dockers merchandise while others had axed their membership because of the association.
A Woodside spokeswoman said the company valued its longstanding partnership with the Dockers.
“Our sponsorship of the Dockers has extended beyond on-field sponsorship into areas where both organisations hold shared values and commitments to make a positive contribution, including through Woodside’s role as Indigenous program partner,” she said.
“Could no longer justify membership while Woodside sponsors the team. Would love to get back on board next year when Woodside is off the jumpers” – Paul
Signatory
“We recognise the importance of our role in delivering mutual and sustainable social outcomes in the communities we are part of.”
Woodside said in 2022 its social contribution was $25.5 million globally through strategic partnerships, the Woodside Development Fund and its philanthropy program.
The latest petition comes after a group of high-profile Dockers fans as well as Fremantle legend Dale Kickett and the club’s inaugural football manager Gerard McNeill wrote an open letter in October 2022 calling for the club to rethink its Woodside sponsorship.
Alex Hillman, Dale Kickett, Carmen Lawrence, Gerard McNeill, Gillian O’Shaughnessy and Bill Hare.
That letter to the Dockers board and president Dale Alcock was signed by a raft of high-profile fans including WA author Tim Winton.
McNeill played football in the 1970s and 1980s when tobacco sponsorship was commonplace.
“Most of us knew it was wrong, that association between an unhealthy pursuit tied in with what is just one of the best sports going around was a contradiction,” he said.
“It took time, but the reality hit home that making tobacco companies look good by associating them with elite sport wasn’t the way forward.”
In May, the Climate Council released its fossil free sponsorship report in direct response to mounting pressure from athletes, artists, fans and punters to address the issue of fossil fuel companies greenwashing amid an escalating climate crisis.
Australia Youth Climate Coalition state coordinator Jemima Williamson-Wong said the sponsorship had to end.
“Why would young people want to become a Fremantle member when it means partnering with a company blatantly fuelling climate destruction?” she said.
A Fremantle Football Club spokesman said the club had yet to determine its partnership with Woodside beyond 2023.
“The duty of the board and executive is to listen to stakeholders, give things due consideration, maintain balance and make the best decision for the club, at the right time,” he said.
“Once a decision is reached, we will communicate it with our members and partners accordingly.”
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