PKF staff have plenty to cheer about over numerous sports partnerships

The professionals at PKF have been getting out their scarves and clappers to cheer on the accounting and consulting firm’s numerous sporting sector sponsorships across the country.

No matter their tastes – be it round or oval ball or contested on land or in the water – there’s pretty much something for all PKF staff to get behind, with rugby league, Aussie rules, soccer, horse-racing and water polo all featuring among just some of the firm’s sporting sponsorships.

The latest renewed and new sports partnerships follow the firm’s backing of Lauren Parker, who recently created history in France by becoming the first Aussie athlete to claim gold in two different disciplines at the Paralympics since 1976, slaying in both the cycling and triathlon.

Water Polo

PKF’s Sydney & Newcastle branch has recently revealed the latest round of professional development scholarship recipients in the third year of its association with Water Polo Australia, with Paris Olympics silver medallist Bronte Halligan and dual Olympian George Ford sharing in a $10,000 funding pool together with junior squad members Harper Stewart and Georgia Chapman.

“Balancing the demands of elite sport with personal and professional growth is no small feat,” said former Shark and PKF business advisory director Nicholas Falzon, who has spearheaded the firm’s water polo sponsorship program. “These athletes represent the best of what the water polo community stands for; determination, leadership, and a drive to succeed in all facets of life.”

Rugby League

The partnership between PKF’s local office and the Newcastle national rugby league club has also entered its third year, and while not going particularly well on the field to date after the Knights squeezed into the eight last year, PKF Sydney and Newcastle managing director Bob Bell was keen to highlight some the benefits of the arrangement ahead of the of the 2025 season.

“Our collaboration with the Newcastle Knights has been a source of immense pride for our firm,” Bell said. “Over the past two years, we’ve witnessed the team’s resilience and dedication, which mirror our own values at PKF. We are excited to continue this journey together, fostering growth and success within our community.”

Soccer

Perhaps the most sports-mad of PKF’s sixteen Australia-wide offices, the Newcastle team has also thrown its support behind the round-ball game, recently extending its sponsorship of young Jets A-League players Justin Vidic and Milan Hammond, the latter who is a local product and member of the Matildas’ next generation program for the country’s top future prospects.

Aussie Rules

Across the country, PKF’s Perth office – previously a long-time supporter of Netball WA and the West Coast Fever – has signed a fresh partnership agreement with the WAFL’s Claremont footy club, which will be hoping to go at least one step further in 2025 following the Tigers’ devastating last minute one-point exit from last year’s semis.

“We’re delighted to be on board as an official partner of the Claremont Football Club,” said local business advisory and taxation partner Stashu Poliwka. “We’re looking forward to cheering on the Tigers throughout the season. The club is well-known for having a positive impact on the community, and we’re proud to support them.”

Horse-racing

PKF’s Perth office also recently raised close to $10,000 in a charity auction in support of the local children’s hospital as part of its sponsorship of “Italian Race Day” at Ascot, which no matter your stance on the sport still sounds like a lot of fun. Long-term WA partner Anthony Russo Battagliolo had the honour of presenting the trophy to the winner of the ‘Roma Cup’ title race.