A.H. Beard is a family-owned Australian company with a 120-year history producing mattresses and helping people to get a better night’s sleep. The agreement will see the AIS continue to work with A.H. Beard on a number of projects to highlight the link between quality sleep and performance.

The partnership, created in 2016, aims to highlight the benefits of sleep and how this impacts rest, recovery and day to day performance.

In a first for the partnership, Hockeyroo Sophie Taylor has been appointed as an Ambassador and will use her experience as an athlete and physiotherapist to create content and communicate the importance of a good night’s rest. Sophie will appear in marketing for A.H. Beard’s Domino beds and selected ranges, and hopes to make appearances at retail and staff events, when she is able to.

“We are thrilled to welcome Sophie Taylor into the A.H. Beard family as our AIS Ambassador,” said A.H. Beard’s Group Marketing Manager, Danielle Thompson.

“Not only does Sophie have an inspirational on-field hockey career, she is also a dedicated physiotherapist, so she understands first-hand the importance of sleep for performance.

“We are looking forward to working with Sophie to bring greater awareness to the importance of quality sleep for everyone, not just elite athletes.”

Sophie said she was delighted to be chosen as the inaugural ambassador for the partnership.

"I am really passionate about being the Ambassador for A.H. Beard. Having being diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue many years ago, I know first-hand the importance of sleep, rest and recovery,” said Taylor

“I am passionate about sharing my knowledge and experiences as an athlete and physiotherapist with the wider community. A. H. Beard is a family business and a long-time supporter of the AIS and I am very much looking forward to elevating the partnership over the next 12 months.”