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Pfizer Australia to Partner Sydney Swans

Thursday February 12, 2004

Pfizer Australia and the Sydney Swans have entered into a three-year major partnership to promote healthy living through the Pfizer Australia TeamSWANS Community Program.

Pfizer Australia will also be recognised as the Official Healthcare Partner and a Premier Partner of the Sydney Swans.

Since 1996, TeamSWANS has made a valuable contribution to the community promoting healthy living and the development of the AFL Code.

With Pfizer Australia and the Sydney Swans coming together, two extensive community programs will join to maximise the effectiveness of the healthy living message. Included in the partnership will be:

• the development of an extensive community engagement program;
• the promotion of healthy living through a range of mediums including ground signage, advertising, charitable partnerships and a range of other healthcare promotional opportunities;
• the development of the AFL code; and
• healthcare training for TeamSWANS.

Pfizer Australia's Regional Director, Alan Taylor, said that the success of the NSW Health's Smoking. Don't Be A Sucker program in schools and the contribution the Sydney Swans have made to the Malcolm Sargent Cancer Fund for Children illustrates the important role the Sydney Swans have to play building a healthier community.

"Pfizer Australia is proud to be associated with an organisation so committed to healthy living and achievement at the highest level and we look forward to building a healthier community through the Pfizer Australia TeamSWANS," Mr Taylor said.

Sydney Swans Coach, Paul Roos, said that Pfizer Australia provides the Sydney Swans with a healthcare partner with experience and expertise to take the TeamSWANS to the next level.

"Both organisations not only play a role promoting healthy living, but also have a common interest in research and development," Mr Roos said.

"Just as Pfizer Australia has spent an estimated $100m on local medicine research and development over the last five years, the Sydney Swans have shown a similar commitment to the development of local AFL talent."

"With the TeamSWANS focused on building a healthier community and developing the AFL Code, Pfizer Australia provides the Sydney Swans with a logical healthcare partner," Mr Roos said.

About Pfizer Australia

With a history dating back to 1886, Pfizer Australia has grown to become the nation's leading provider of prescription medicines, consumer healthcare products and animal health products. Today, employing more than 2000 staff, we export $A600 million worth of product around the region annually (AU market rates).

Our researchers are part of the world's largest private sector medical research program with more than 600 projects in discovery and development. In Australia, we've committed more than $A100 million to local R&D between 1999 and 2004.

With many of our prescription medicines leading their therapeutic areas, and with trusted consumer products such as Listerine, Benadryl, Codral and Visine, it's easy to see why millions of Australians trust Pfizer Australia everyday.

About TeamSWANS

TeamSWANS is the Sydney Swans' official community involvement and promotions unit that represents the Sydney Swans in all community based off-field activities. Since its inception in 1996, the Sydney Swans players, coaches and staff have developed and moulded TeamSWANS into a powerful community program. This program has partnered with the 'SMOKING. Don't Be a Sucker Program', the Malcolm Sargent Cancer Fund for Children, the Northcott Society, Youth Off The Streets, Sydney City Mission and the Australian Red Cross.

TeamSWANS has also played an important role in the development of the AFL Code. Their role has included the promotion of the Paul Kelly Cup, Summer AFL and Spring Cup and working with NSW AFL to implement the Junior Development Program and AFL Skills Clinics.

Since 1996, player involvement in off-field community activities has increased by 400% to a total of over 4,500 contact hours in 2003. Our goal is to utilise the Sydney Swans' presence and influence in the community to reach out and provide meaningful experiences that impact worthy individuals, groups and neighbourhoods and to promote healthy living.