Reef Raiders on sponsorship drive and fixture announced
PORT RUGBY
The Port Douglas Reef Raiders rugby union team is on a major sponsorship drive as it enters its 20th year within the FNQ Rugby competition.
The club, which in 2008 won its first Premiership winning the CDRU Grand Final, and followed this up in 2014, has begun a campaign to assist its players by seeking sponsorship which will also allow the club to reach many of its short-term goals.
And according to club president Don Murday, these are some of the main sponsorship requirements for the year:
- On-going commitment to recruit players. The Raiders does not pay any of its players but does assist in finding employment and accommodation;
- Maintaining up-to-date training equipment and methods;
- Junior Development Program;
- Coach transport to away games;
- Administration costs; and
- Registration and Insurance costs.
“We are now going out to the community to see if they can assist by sponsoring a player for $300 which would have a significant impact,” said Murday.
- Your business name on a back pack for the player;
- Your business logo on a sponsors’ wall at the Raiders Clubhouse;
- A season gate pass for all five home games; and
- The appreciation of one of the players as their registration sponsor.
“The rugby family supports rugby wherever they go, and this attitude carries through to the sponsors of rugby at all levels. We certainly hope you will give our request serious consideration.
“If you feel we do not have a specific category that satisfies your requirements, please contact us to tailor a sponsorship program specific to your offer,” said Murday.
Murday said the club manages to compete in the final series most years.
“We may be one of the smallest rugby clubs within Australia, however, in a short period of time, the team and committee have achieved some major objectives and established itself as a viable and credible organization.
“The introduction of a juniors club has boosted awareness of rugby union in the Douglas region. Junior rugby has provided a pathway for many boys to continue playing rugby with the seniors and some as high as Australian U20s,” he said.
“Our ‘Field of Dreams’, with the assistance of grants from both state and local governments, assistance of local tradesmen and suppliers, the club has developed a rugby field at the Port Douglas Sports Complex, which allows the Reef Raiders to play and train without clashing with other sporting bodies.
“The new field is a rugby-specific design and a replica of the playing surface of the famous Ballymore ground in Brisbane, featuring a permanent in-ground irrigation system and full playing lights. We have recently been able to construct a complex featuring clubhouse and change room faculties,” he said.
Murday said a specific focus has been the recruitment of quality players to augment local players. Raiders have enjoyed many international players over the past few years from as far afield as Chile, Argentina, Britain, France and Canada.
“While the above achievements are notable, we are a long way from achieving many of our short-term goals and we need the help of the local community via sponsorship to do so,” he said.
For more information, contact Denise McHugh: on 0427 982 254 or portdouglasrugby@gmail.com
Check out the Raiders' match fixture here:
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