Maroons given extra incentive to score big thanks to Westpac partnership

Queensland Rugby League is thrilled to announce that for every try scored by the Maroons - men and women - during the 2024 State of Origin series, Westpac will donate $5000 to the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service in Queensland.

The Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter based at Carrara has also been fitted out with a new Maroons decal to show the service’s support for the Maroons throughout the 2024 State of Origin series.

This announcement builds on the partnership announced by Westpac and the QRL in September 2023 which is focused on supporting equal participation for men and women at all levels of the game throughout the Sunshine State.

For the first time, both the men’s and women’s teams will compete in a three-game series which kicks off with the Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons taking on the Westpac NSW Sky Blues in Brisbane this Thursday, May 16.

The announcement was made at the Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons' training camp at Royal Pines at the Gold Coast today.

QRL chief executive officer Ben Ikin was joined by Westpac state general manager for Queensland Greg Crocombe, and Maroons stars Ali Brigginshaw and Zahara Temara, as well and Maroons squad members Skyla Adams and Sienna Lofipo.

“State of Origin is my favourite time of the year, especially when the Maroons are scoring tries,” Ikin said.

“There’s no better feeling than hearing that awesome roar when a Queenslander crosses the try line, especially in front of a full house here in Brisbane.

“This is a fantastic initiative by Westpac, and it will ensure our Maroons are even more determined to tick the scoreboard over in support of such an important service for Queenslanders.” 

Crocombe also spoke about the strengths of the partnership.

“Footy and our awesome beaches are two things Queenslanders are so incredibly proud of, so to see those two passions coming together in this way is really special,” Crocombe said.

“We’ll be cheering on both Maroons teams even louder knowing that each try is another $5000 donation for the choppers – as if we needed an excuse.”

Andrew McNeilly, chief crewman of the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service, said "here at the WLRHS in Queensland we love our footy and knowing that each Maroons try will contribute to enhancing our reach and potentially saving more lives is fantastic".

"We are so grateful for Westpac’s ongoing support of our service," McNeilly said.

Westpac is also naming rights sponsor for the Westpac NSW Blues and Westpac NSW Sky Blues, and will proudly replicate this initiative in NSW to benefit the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Services in New South Wales.

The Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service operates two helicopters across the southeast Queensland coast; carrying out beach surveillance, shark warnings, preventative actions, missing person searches and rescues in the water and on the beach.