QBE Insurance today announced that it had extended its long-running partnership with the Sydney Swans for at least five more years, through to the end of the 2016 season.

Swans coach John Longmire said the announcement was a great fillip for the Club, while co-captain Adam Goodes said the players were very pleased to know the off-field financial strength of their Club was assured.

QBE became a corporate partner of the Swans in 1987, and the association has continued to grow from strength to strength.  During tomorrow night’s game against Carlton at the SCG, the Club will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the partnership with QBE as well as the insurance company’s 125th year of incorporation.

To celebrate both occasions, the Swans players will wear a jumper based on the strip worn by South Melbourne 125 years ago.

The jumper features red and white hoops, with “Celebrating 125 Years’’ woven subtly into the red of the guernsey.

Vince McLenaghan, Chief Executive Officer of QBE Australia Asia Pacific, said: “This partnership with the Swans is acknowledged around Australia as one of the more enduring partnerships. QBE is very proud to be associated with the team, mainly because as the team demonstrates its determination, its tenacity and its integrity, these represent and reflect well on the hallmarks of QBE.

“Recognising the 25th anniversary and also in celebration of QBE’s 125th anniversary of incorporation, it is an absolute pleasure for me to announce QBE is extending its partnership with the Swans for five years, taking us to a 30 year partnership at least.’’

The Chief Executive of the Swans, Andrew Ireland, said the Club was very proud to have QBE as its principal partner until at least the end of 2016.

Ireland said it was important to acknowledge the relationship with the commemorative jumper to be worn tomorrow, which also reflected the Swans history.

“It’s the same jumper we were wearing 125 years ago, so we think we’ve got that connection right,’’ he said.

“Our club has a real history of not playing around with our jumper. We’re not ones for wearing a lot of different jumpers. We thought it was absolutely appropriate given QBE’s involvement with us to strike this jumper for tomorrow’s game.’’

Longmire said what stood out for him was the enduring relationship between QBE and the Club over so many eras - from Dennis Carroll and Greg Williams in the late 1980s, to Tony Lockett, Paul Kelly, the 2005 premiership year and now the new generation of players.

“As a coach we appreciate the history of the club, and value the future of the club. The announcement today is a great fillip for the footy club and gives us great confidence going forward. The players are really proud of their relationship with QBE.’’