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South East Melbourne Phoenix have confirmed an extension of their foundation partnership with Ringwood Automotive Group, keeping the Melbourne-based dealership tied to the NBL club's vehicles, member benefits and fan contests. The announcement was made on May 7, 2026.
Ringwood Automotive Group has been alongside the Phoenix since the club's earliest days, making this renewal more than a routine sponsorship update. The group remains the club's vehicle provider for another season, and it continues to back the three-quarter-time activation at home games — the moment when one supporter gets the chance to win a brand-new car with a successful half-court shot.
That activation has become one of the most entertaining parts of Phoenix game nights. It does not rely on a celebrity cameo or an elaborate halftime show. Instead, it puts an ordinary fan at center court with a ball and a prize worth thousands of dollars. The simplicity is part of its appeal.
For members, the partnership also carries practical value away from game days. Ringwood Automotive Group has supported Phoenix membership with exclusive offers and discounts over the years. Those benefits give supporters another reason to stay involved, and they reinforce the idea that a membership provides more than just a seat at the game.
Behind the scenes, the car supply arrangement is just as important. The group provides vehicles for the Phoenix's imported players, giving them reliable transport around the Heartland during the season. For someone arriving from another country, having that logistics covered can make the transition into a new league much smoother.
Phoenix chief executive Simon Derrick said the club was grateful for the group's long-running commitment. Derrick noted that Ringwood Automotive Group had been with the Phoenix from day one and had consistently found ways to contribute — through the team fleet, the member benefits and the half-court fan moment. He also described the business as a strong example of a local company investing in the community around it. The club, he said, wanted to keep building on that relationship in the seasons ahead.
The wider significance of the renewal is easier to understand when placed against the NBL's commercial landscape. The Phoenix are one of the league's newer franchises, having joined the NBL in 2019. For a team still growing its supporter base and corporate profile, a foundation partner choosing to stay can be read as a vote of confidence. It gives the front office a stronger base for planning programs that depend on steady income rather than short-term deals.
Ringwood Automotive Group dealer principal Heath Greaves said the business felt closely connected to the local area through the Phoenix. Greaves described the partnership as a chance to support a team that brings energy to the community, and he said the group was ready to continue backing the players, the fans and the wider network around the club. His comments framed the renewal as rooted in local pride as much as commercial exposure.
The announcement also offers useful context for U.S. basketball followers who have started paying closer attention to the NBL. While the league is best known internationally for the players who move through it, clubs like the Phoenix depend on local sponsors to operate week to week. Seeing a Melbourne dealership group extend its support helps show how the NBL's business side works behind the scenes.
With the extension now confirmed, Ringwood Automotive Group will remain woven into Phoenix events and club operations through the coming campaign. The game-day giveaway will be back, the vehicles will be on the road, and the member offers will stay available. For both sides, the next step is straightforward: keep building on a partnership that has become a steady part of the club's identity.
Fans can learn more about Ringwood Automotive Group's latest range and services by visiting the dealership's website.
