Virgin Blue scored a goal as the official airline of the Australian Football League (AFL) after the latter dumped Qantas on an $8 million-a-year contract. The Virgin Blue Group of Airlines has today been named partner of the AFL commencing 1 January 2011.

While the flying kangaroo had been keen to extend its nine-year association with the AFL, Virgin is believed to have bid aggressively for the contract.

Chief Executive and Managing Director John Borghetti said "We are very excited to have been chosen as the official airline for the AFL. It is a great fit for the Virgin Blue brand and we look forward to welcoming the AFL board, executives, teams and support crews on board.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said "We chose the Virgin Blue Group as not only do they provide an extensive network and great service but they are a great brand fit with the AFL.

"We are expanding the game and look forward to the AFL, our clubs and supporters partnering with Virgin Blue as football-related travel and tourism which is estimated at $400 million a year continues to grow," he said.

As official airline of the AFL, the Virgin Blue Group will carry the 17 (soon to be 18) AFL teams, including the usual travelling party of 60 players, staff and officials, across Australia.

The AFL is Australia's biggest football code with more than 750,000 participants across the country.

The announcement of the deal comes as hundreds of AFL industry members and supporters gather on the Gold Coast for the AFL Industry Conference and tonight's 2010 NAB AFL Draft. Tweet