De'Longhi and Virgin-Blue 2009 Sponsorship Extension
2nd September 2008
The South Sydney Football Club has today announced the re-signing of major corporate partners De’Longhi and Virgin Blue for a further year, joining NAB on the Rabbitohs playing strip for season 2009. De’Longhi has extended its deal with the Rabbitohs as the Club’s major Away corporate partner after joining the Club in June this year. De’Longhi will appear on the front of the away jersey and will also feature on the Club’s home jersey as well as training apparel. Virgin Blue will enter its third year as the major Training corporate partner of the Rabbitohs in 2009, appearing on all of the Rabbitohs training apparel as well as the home and away playing shorts. NAB, who committed to the South Sydney Football Club for three years at the start of the 2008 season, will appear on the front of the home jersey and also appear on the Club’s away jersey and training apparel. The Rabbitohs jersey is the most valuable jersey in the Sydney market, with the only property still available being the sleeve to prospective corporate partners for 2009. Representatives from the Club’s major corporate partners in NAB, De’Longhi and Virgin Blue were joined at a media conference today by senior corporate partners BBX Money, Cadbury Schweppes, Casella Wines, Gatorade, ISC, Souths Juniors and Tooheys, to display the strength of the Rabbitohs corporate partnership family. The City of Sydney Council was also represented at Redfern Oval, the state-of-the-art training facility that the Club will use in 2009 for training which is being redeveloped by the City of Sydney. “Today we welcome back De’Longhi and Virgin Blue for next season, joining our suite of blue-chip corporate partners including NAB as our major sponsors,” Rabbitohs CEO Shane Richardson said at a media conference today. “These companies see value in being associated with the character and the community that embodies South Sydney. “Today we have shown that we have tremendous support from some of Sydney’s, New South Wales’ and Australia’s biggest companies, with our three major partners and seven of our ten senior partners joining us here today. “We have tremendous corporate support; one of the biggest, most passionate Memberships of any Club in the NRL; a brand new, state-of-the-art training centre at Redfern Oval being delivered in the new year; a ten-year Stadium deal with our partners at ANZ Stadium; plus strong links with the communities of South Sydney and Coffs Harbour through Souths Cares. “If ever a Club was to demonstrate its strength in the competitive Sydney sporting market then we are doing that here today.” Chief Executive Officer of De’Longhi Australia Paolo Albertoni said: “The media coverage and exposure of our brand being associated with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2008 has been exceptional for us, but not being a Rugby League follower, it was the professionalism and caring spirit towards its sponsors, members and the community at large that has reinforced the reason for us to extend our sponsorship for another season.” “The first week we became a sponsor, I attended the Souths Cares Annual Charity event which epitomized some of the very good things this club does. Everyone is working for the good of everyone involved and there is a clear objective as well as an obvious will to succeed against all odds. This is attractive to us as a brand as our will to succeed in our given industry against huge odds is similar. “To be part of the Rabbitohs sponsorship family is something that we could only measure and appreciate after the fact. The result has been beyond expectations so it is only natural to renew our sponsorship and build on the relationship that is clearly one that we are enjoying. “As part of a distinguished group of major and senior partners, we wish the Management, Coaching Staff, players, sponsors and supporters of the South Sydney Rabbitohs a successful season next year, something we are proud to be part of.”
Virgin Blue Chief Executive and co-Founder, Brett Godfrey, said: “We are pleased to be continuing our association with the Rabbitohs for another year as we know what it's like to come from the bottom to build an amazing success from nothing.”
NAB Executive General Manager Business and Private Banking. Joseph Healy, said: “NAB is delighted to partner with a club with such a proud heritage as the Rabbitohs.” “At NAB, we believe in helping communities to achieve their dreams and aspirations. As a club with such a passionate and committed supporter base, playing group and administration, the Rabbitohs truly embody these values.”