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Two South Australian success stories are joining forces, with Adelaide Lightning announcing a major new partnership with Adelaide-founded global technology company Fleet Space Technologies.
The collaboration marks Fleet Space Technologies’ first partnership with a sporting club, bringing together professional women’s basketball and cutting-edge space technology with a shared mission to inspire the next generation of South Australians.
The partnership was officially unveiled on Tuesday at Fleet’s headquarters at Catalyst Park, Adelaide Airport, where Fleet co-founder and CEO Flavia Tata Nardini welcomed Adelaide Lightning CEO Melanie MacGillivray, General Manager of Basketball Tess Madgen, captain Steph Talbot and the Lightning playing group.
The players were treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of Fleet’s facilities, discovering how technology developed for space is helping transform mineral exploration around the world.
Founded in Adelaide in 2015, Fleet Space Technologies is the company behind Australia’s first low Earth orbit satellite constellation, using space-based technology to help the mining industry locate critical minerals.
But for Fleet’s co-founder, the partnership has a particularly personal connection.
A rocket scientist and former propulsion test engineer at the European Space Agency, Flavia Tata Nardini also grew up playing basketball in Europe.
“Basketball was part of my life long before Fleet, and it’s one of the reasons this partnership is so meaningful to me. There’s something powerful about a team that keeps showing up for each other, especially when things aren’t going their way.”
Now, she’s hoping the collaboration will encourage young South Australians, particularly girls, to dream big, whether that’s pursuing a career in professional sport, science or technology.
“I want the next generation, particularly girls watching these incredible athletes play to see ambition, strength and possibility, and to know there is a community ready to back their dreams.”
As part of the partnership, Adelaide Lightning captain and Olympian Steph Talbot, who recently played with the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA, will become a Fleet player ambassador alongside fellow WNBA player Madeline Westbeld of the Phoenix Mercury.
The two athletes will help bring the partnership to life through commercial, community and engagement initiatives connecting sport, technology and young people.
For Adelaide Lightning, the announcement is another significant step forward for women’s professional sport in South Australia.
“We’re incredibly proud to welcome Fleet Space Technologies to the Adelaide Lightning family. To have a globally recognised South Australian company choose Lightning as its first sporting club partner speaks volumes about the growing strength and commercial appeal of women’s sport,” Adelaide Lightning CEO Melanie MacGillivray said.
The partnership also builds on Lightning’s impressive history, with five WNBL Championships and a legacy of producing international basketball stars, including Rachael Sporn, Erin Phillips and current Australian Opals star Steph Talbot.
“It’s exciting to have a South Australian company like Fleet backing our team. As players, we know how important it is for young girls to see what’s possible and have people they can look up to.”
The partnership will make its on-court debut this Saturday, 7 November, when Adelaide Lightning takes on the Tasmania Jewels at the State Basketball Centre at 2.30pm.
Fans will get their first look at Fleet’s branding on the team’s new warm-up apparel, marking the beginning of a collaboration that aims to make an impact well beyond the basketball court.
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