Sponsors

The Club used to encourage many sponsors.

They would pay us some money in exchange for exposure around the Club, originally on the Sponsor’s Board and Snapper Snippets, then lately in Tight Lines, on the website, and the screens. They would also get some memberships for their staff.

For years we tried to make it simpler, and special thanks go to Kate Unsworth who helped design our latest sponsorship marketing kit.

There was ‘Contra’ where a sponsor would give us product in return for advertising around the Clubrooms, as well as paid Sponsorship packages.

At the committee level, we tossed around the idea of sponsorship at all.

Sponsorships are only good if you give your sponsor great value for money, and sadly —being run by volunteers— with all of us short on time, we felt that we were not able to give the sponsors the coverage they deserved.

We asked quite a few members and found out that many people did not like coming to the Club and seeing sponsors’ logos.

One said, “I come here to get away from commercialism!”

More than a few thought that there was an us-and-them mentality with sponsors being given special treatment, and, when you look at what’s happened at the AFL, you tend to agree. Even if it’s not true the perception is there.

All members should be equal, we decided.

As sponsorships came up for renewal, we decided to let them go so the place looks more like a Clubroom than a location for advertising billboards.

At this stage, we’re happy to keep Dimattina Coffee as our only sponsor. Not only do they provide brilliant coffee, but Paul, Chris and company keep the machine serviced and our staff trained to a high standard.

We hope you understand and enjoy the Club as a member, not a sponsor’s product!

James Nixon,
Secretary.