The Bendigo Thunder has partnered with the Port Melbourne Football Club for the next three years.
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"We're ecstatic and absolutely over the moon to be in partnership with a club that is as prestigious and historic as the Port Melbourne Football Club," Thunder president Terry Burt said.
"We believe this gives our players the pathway to play at the highest level possible and our coaching staff every opportunity to become great coaches, we look forward to a long relationship with the PMFC.
"This is a massive boost for the Bendigo Thunder."
The PMFC, also known as "The Borough" was founded in 1874.
The club's women's team competes in the South Eastern Women's Division 1, but have plans to advance to the VFLW and down the track one step further to the AFLW.
PMFC CEO Paul Malcolm said the partnership would help grow women's football.
"The club is excited with the new partnership that will help ensure the growth of women's football in the central region; as well as provide Bendigo players with a 'home' team to transfer to in the metro area," Malcolm said.
"The opportunity for joint sponsorship and membership also creates a sense of excitement."
The Thunder were scheduled to play in the Northern Football Netball League for the 2020 season, which was cancelled in June.
Burt said the team had been bolstered with new additions to the coaching panel as well as players for the 2020 season.
"Once the COVID stuff happened we thought about training, but ultimately we didn't think it would be safe or worth taking a risk," Burt said.
"This is a good opportunity for the players to give their bodies a rest and then hit pre-season super keen and ready."
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