** Shares of HITIQ HIQ.AX rise 16.7% to A$0.028, their biggest intraday pct jump since mid-November

** The healthcare equipment maker hits its highest level since March 17

** Co signs a three-year partnership with the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) for its HITIQ PROTEQT platform, which is used for monitoring head impact and potential concussion risks

** Says will shift focus to consumer market, targeting amateur and community-level athletes

** Including the day's move, stock down more than 41% this year

(Reporting by John Biju in Bengaluru)

((John.Biju@thomsonreuters.com;))