Wildcats and Rio Tinto strengthen partnership with three-year extension

The Perth Wildcats and Rio Tinto have strengthened their partnership, signing a new three-year agreement that will build on their shared commitment to creating opportunities for young people and communities across Western Australia.

As part of the renewed agreement, Rio Tinto will become Principal Partner of the Perth Wildcats, with the Rio Tinto logo featuring on the front of the Wildcats playing jersey.

The extension marks the next chapter of a partnership that has continued to grow both on and off the court. The partnership is focused on supporting grassroots basketball, creating development opportunities for young people and using the power of sport to connect communities across metropolitan and regional Western Australia.

A key part of the partnership is the continued growth of the Rio Tinto Perth Wildcats Academy, which will expand into the Pilbara from 2027, creating greater development opportunities for regional athletes and coaches.

Since the partnership began, more than 2,000 children across the Pilbara have participated in Wildcats basketball clinics.

The recent Perth Wildcats pre-season game in Karratha provided another opportunity to bring elite basketball closer to regional fans and communities.

Rio Tinto will also continue as presenting partner of the Perth Wildcats Mental Health Game, supporting Lifeline WA and using the reach of professional sport to encourage important conversations around mental health and wellbeing.

Perth Wildcats Owner Mark Arena said the three-year extension would allow the partnership to build on the momentum created over the past three seasons.

“Rio Tinto shares our belief in the ability of basketball to connect and inspire communities, and we are incredibly proud to extend our partnership for another three years.

“Together, we have been able to take basketball into communities across Western Australia, create new pathways for young players and coaches, and deliver initiatives that have an impact well beyond game day.

“Rio Tinto stepping up as Principal Partner is a tremendous show of confidence in what we are building together, and we are excited about how much more we can achieve over the next three years.”

Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive Matthew Holcz said the renewed partnership reflected a shared commitment to creating opportunities for communities across Western Australia.

“Our partnership with the Perth Wildcats is about more than sponsorship – it's about creating opportunities for young people, strengthening communities and using sport to bring people together.

“Over the past three years, we have worked together to make a difference, particularly in regional Western Australia and through the Rio Tinto Perth Wildcats Academy.

“We are excited to build on that work, expand the Academy into the Pilbara and help nurture the next generation of Western Australian basketballers.”

To mark the extension, Rio Tinto and the Perth Wildcats will launch “60 Years, 300 Reasons to Celebrate”, recognising Rio Tinto’s 60-year history in Western Australia and giving Wildcats fans the opportunity to join the celebrations.

A total of 300 Wildcats items will be given away, including NBL27 jerseys, game tickets and hats as part of community pop ups today across Perth, taking the partnership directly to fans and the wider community.