The Carlton Football Club today announced that Optus would be the Club's joint major sponsor for the 2005 AFL season, continuing an 11-year association between Carlton and Optus.

From the beginning of the 2005 season the name Optus, synonymous with Optus Oval since 1993, will appear on the Carlton guernsey ensuring Optus is with the Carlton Football Club in all matches.

Carlton Football Club President, Ian Collins announced the continuation of the association at a media conference at Optus Oval today.

"Optus and Carlton have enjoyed a wonderful association. The venue naming sponsorship was a ground breaking agreement in 1993 being one of the first such sponsorships in Australian sport, an indication of the commitment Optus has to Australian sport. Going forward the Optus sponsorship with Carlton will have a more human side with the Optus logo featuring on our guernsey," Mr Collins said.

As the joint major sponsor Optus will feature on the back of the guernsey for all Carlton home matches and on the front of the guernsey for all Carlton away matches.

Rob Parcell, Optus Director of Victoria, said the company was looking forward to 2005 with Carlton.

"Carlton is one of Australia's greatest sporting clubs and a high profile AFL club with an established presence in Victoria and around the country. To align with an Australian sporting icon is beneficial for Optus, the AFL and the football public.

"We have enjoyed a mutually beneficial and fruitful relationship with Carlton for 11 years. The Club helped build the Optus brand in Victoria through Optus Oval. We are looking forward to the relationship moving from 'bricks and mortar' to one focused on customer and community involvement.

"Optus will farewell Carlton's final home game at Optus Oval on 21 May, 2005 when Carlton play Melbourne in round nine of the AFL season. At that game and others in the 2005 we look forward to bringing an interactive presence to the supporters of Carlton - showcasing our technology through on-field competitions such as 'MMS face in the crowd' and 'SMS Best on Field'.

"We wish Carlton the best for the 2005 season," Mr Parcell said.

For more media information:
Simone Bergholcs
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: 02 9342 7846