- Cook Labor Government and Perth Wildcats sign a Memorandum of Understanding
- Partnership will promote defence industry careers, skills, and opportunities across WA
- Focus on youth engagement, STEM pathways, veterans, and workforce development
The Cook Labor Government has partnered with the PerthWildcatsin a slam dunk move to help grow awareness of Western Australia's booming defence industry and the career opportunities it is creating for local workers, students, and businesses.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), administered by Defence West, will see the Cook Labor Government and theWildcatswork together on initiatives that connect communities with opportunities across the State's defence sector.
The partnership will focus on youth engagement, leadership and development programs, STEM pathways, veteran support initiatives, and community events designed to showcase the scale and importance of WA's defence industry.
TheWildcats' extensive reach across WA, through school programs, regional tours, community initiatives, and a national supporter base, provides a unique platform to engage Western Australians with the growing opportunities emerging in the defence space.
The agreement also reflects WA's growing strategic importance under the AUKUS trilateral partnership and the increasing presence of allied personnel in the State.
From as early as 2027, HMAS Stirling will host Submarine Rotational Force - West, comprising of British and American conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines, and their personnel on rotational deployments.
Basketball's strong popularity in both the United States and the United Kingdom makes theWildcatsa natural cultural connection point for visiting allied personnel and their families living in WA.
This is the third sporting code to partner with the State Government on defence-related initiatives, following agreements with Rugby WA and the Fremantle Dockers.
The partnership will also explore opportunities for defence industry participation inWildcatsprograms, co-hosted events, and activities supporting the next generation of skilled workers across the defence sector.
As stated by Defence Industries Minister Paul Papalia:
"This agreement brings together two great Western Australian strengths: our defence industry and our sporting culture in a way that creates new opportunities for the community.
"The Perth Wildcats have an exceptional ability to connect with people right across the State, and this partnership will help us use that reach to build awareness of the careers and capabilities within the State's defence sector.
"By working with the Wildcats, we're strengthening the connection between local communities and the defence activity taking place in our region, and creating more ways for Western Australians to get involved."
As stated by Rockingham MLA Magenta Marshall:
"Rockingham loves its basketball and with HMAS Stirling right on our doorstep, this partnership will be a great way to connect young people and families with the opportunities emerging in WA's growing defence industry."
As stated by Perth Wildcats chief revenue officer Sam Fotu:
"The Wildcats have always been about bringing people together, so we're proud to partner with Defence West at such an important time for WA.
"As the defence community grows through AUKUS, basketball gives us a great opportunity to welcome personnel and their families, strengthen connections across the State, and show young Western Australians where a future in the industry could take them."
