The Fremantle Dockers have defied criticism from high-profile fans to extend their sponsorship with fossil fuel giant Woodside for a further two seasons.
The AFL club announced the deal on Wednesday, saying the partnership would help Fremantle remain in a strong position on and off the pitch.
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But the agreement was met with opprobrium by critics, including ACT Senator David Pocock, who have accused Woodside of greenwashing their contribution to climate change.
“Fossil fuel companies, like Woodside and Santos, are expanding their operations, with no credible plans to decarbonise, while buying social licence by sponsoring sport,” the former Wallaby wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“The’re betting on us not taking climate action, threatening the very sports they sponsor.”
Pocock penned an opinion piece for an online media outlet on Tuesday, calling for sporting organisations to step up and play a part in addressing climate change.
Nobel Prize-winning climate scientist Bill Hare said he was disturbed to hear the club would not accept a science briefing from the Climate Council before signing the deal.
“Head in the sand is no way to fight global warning,” he said in a tweet.
Last year, a group of 10 high-profile Dockers fans released an open letter encouraging the club to end its relationship with Woodside.
The group included Dr Hare, Fremantle’s inaugural football manager Gerard McNeill, ex-player Dale Kickett, former WA premier Carmen Lawrence, author Tim Winton and former Woodside climate change advisor Alex Hillman.
“Climate change is already creating catastrophic and deadly conditions for communities here and overseas, alongside massive harm to natural systems that support our economy and wellbeing,” the letter read.
“All responsible institutions have an obligation to signal that we must accelerate the transition to a decarbonised economy and cease all new fossil fuel projects.”
Woodside has been a major sponsor of Fremantle since 2010 and the new deal will take their partnership to 15 years.
After the extension was announced, human rights campaigner and passionate Fremantle supporter Sophie McNeill released a lengthy statement on social media.
“I’ve known disappointment over the years as a Dockers tragic, but I’ve never, ever felt ashamed of my club. Until now,” she said with a broken-heart emoji.
“This is a sad day in Freo’s history.
“The board have failed to uphold their obligations to act in the best long term interests of the club and players, and to end this partnership with one of the world’s largest fossil fuel companies.
“This is about more than football, it’s about being on the right side of history – and Freo have failed that test.”
Woodside chief executive Meg O’Neill said the company was proud to work with Fremantle as it focused on “a lower carbon, equitable and sustainable energy future”.
“As we move forward in the energy transition, partnerships with organisations such as the Dockers who prioritise sustainable outcomes will be critical,” she said in a statement.
The Dockers said the renewed agreement reflects Woodside’s commitment to have a positive impact on the club and the community.
“This includes the expansion of the Indigenous Program Partnership which encompasses the further development and implementation of Fremantle’s next Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan,” the club said.
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