AIA Australia, a provider of life, health, and wellbeing insurance, has introduced Australian female badminton champion Gronya Somerville as its new ambassador.
A press release has described Somerville as a professional badminton player since 2012. She has participated in prestigious events like the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and three Commonwealth Games, and now the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Stephanie Phillips, chief marketing and shared value officer at AIA Australia, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, noting this year is when Somerville is set to compete at the 2024 Olympics.
“As a professional athlete, [Somerville] is an inspiring figure of her sport who has strong connections to its enthusiastic fanbase,” said Phillips. “We share a mutual passion for health and wellbeing and for encouraging communities to stay active. We look forward to working with Gronya to help carry her message to inspire others to try badminton and for athletes to sharpen their skills.”
“We continue to support and invest in women in sport as we are doing with Ash Barty, Stephanie Gilmore, Layne Beachley, and more. This partnership with Gronya further supports our commitment to help Australians lead healthier, longer, better lives,” said Phillips.
Somerville became the first Australian to win a Grand Prix title, winning both the Canada Open and Dutch Open in the same year. Balancing her badminton career with post-graduate studies in sports management, Somerville is also actively involved in growing her business, BADFIT, an online training program tailored for badminton players.
“I’m thrilled to work with AIA, a life and health insurer that lives and breathes its commitment for health and wellbeing. I look forward to opportunities to promote healthy living on and off the court and have a positive impact on the wider community,” said Somerville.
This partnership follows AIA’s announcement that it has partnered with Badminton Victoria, reflecting the insurer’s commitment to investing in and supporting the badminton sport and community locally.
“While we do support sport codes that have large mass appeal such as the AFL, we’re also excited about the opportunity to lift other codes that may have smaller, but equally as passionate communities and followers, and where we know our participation goes a long way,” said Phillips.
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