UP Education, Australasia’s largest independent tertiary education group, has joined forces with Auckland FC as the club’s Official Education Partner.
With more than 39,000 students enrolled annually across 52 campuses in Australia and New Zealand, UP Education offers over 300 qualifications spanning health, sport, trades, technology, and creative industries.
A key focus area for UP Education is the link between physical activity, mental health, and wellbeing — making sport a natural platform for community engagement.
Reflecting this connection, the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors (AIPC), a UP Education institution and Australia’s leading counselling and mental health education provider, will feature on Auckland FC’s away shorts throughout the 2025 season.
“At UP Education, we equip students with the skills and confidence to succeed not just in the workplace, but in life,” says Tim McFarlane, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at UP Education.
“Mental health is central to that mission. Through AIPC, we’re proud to champion awareness of counselling, wellbeing and the role that sport plays in supporting positive mental health.”
AIPC has trained more than 4,000 counselling and community services students annually, providing practical skills that strengthen the mental health workforce across Australasia.
“We know that to be the best on the pitch, players need to be feeling their best off it, and mental health plays a huge role in that,” says Auckland FC’s Mental Performance Coach, Hamish Barton.
The one-year partnership will also offer Auckland FC players and staff access to professional development and wellbeing programmes through UP Education’s network.
“UP Education is an impressive organisation to be partnering with,” says Nick Becker, CEO of Auckland FC.
“We share a belief in the connection between sport and mental wellbeing — and we’re proud to carry the AIPC logo across Australia this season.”
