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Neoenergia, Iberdrola’s Sao Paulo Stock Exchange-listed Brazilian subsidiary, has signed a historic agreement with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) to become the first company in the country to exclusively sponsor its women’s national football team. Support for women’s sport is based on the belief that it is an excellent way to promote a society of equal opportunities. These competitions allow women’s sport to be introduced into homes, encouraging the creation of new role models in society.

The partnership will extend over the next four years and includes the company’s support for the national club competition, which will be called Brasileirão Femenino Neoenergia when it next kicks off.

Neoenergia will also accompany the Brazilian women’s national teams, both adult and grassroots, in important competitions such as the final preparations for Tokyo 2021, the Copa América Femenina 2022, the South American Grassroots Football Championship, the Women’s World Cup 2023 and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The Women’s National Team will display the brandname on its training kit and will post on the Brazil Warriors’ social networks. Neoenergia will be present on the advertising hoardings on the pitch at all matches, in half-time activities and on the competition’s social networks.

Support for women’s sport has become a lever for development for Neoenergia and Iberdrola, whose core values include equality between men and women. In addition to promoting sport as an agent of social change that promotes healthy living, respect and discipline, the aim of the two companies is to increase participation by women in the social and professional context, reinforcing their commitment to equal opportunities. To this end, it is working to contribute to including women in activities that are traditionally valued and considered masculine.

Neoenergia’s CEO, Mario Ruiz-Tagle, said: “We know about electrical networks and we want to outline another network that is invisible but equally solid, to unite all those who contribute to advancing towards full equality in a context with as much impact as sport. We are committed in this action to support women’s sport with the belief that we are fighting for equal opportunities. We believe in equality in all areas and we share the same values of effort, self-improvement, professionalism and teamwork with sportswomen. These sportswomen are the mirror in which many men and women look at themselves, they are examples for so many others who see sport as a window of opportunity for social change. In addition to being a basic right, equality is also one of the essential foundations for building a more prosperous world for everyone”.

“This partnership with Neoenergia means having one of the largest energy companies in the country and the world on our side, which will combine support for women’s football with causes such as equality and sustainability, leveraging the enormous social strength and commitment of our sport,” said Rogério Caboclo, President of the CBF.

Iberdrola, a pioneer in promoting women's sport

Promoting women’s sport has become a key lever for Iberdrola and the promotion of real equality between men and women, one of its essential values.

In 2016, the company became the first company to make a firm and global commitment to equality and the empowerment of women through sport. In Spain, the company supports 16 federations: gymnastics, triathlon, rugby, canoeing, badminton, football, handball, volleyball, hockey, table tennis, athletics, karate, boxing, surfing, ice sports and fencing. Iberdrola also lends its name to 22 national top-tier sports leagues, and 35 other competitions.

In both Spain and Brazil, the company is the main partner-sponsor of the women’s national football team. In Brazil, it is also the main sponsor of the U-19 and U-17 national teams, the Copa de la Reina and the Primera Iberdrola top division.