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Sponsors support for sports

Sponsorssupport for sports

A new sponsorship programme, borne out of the first COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, is providing significant support for several different sporting codes and is helping to drive the culture of excellence at St Andrew’s College, says Director of Development, Miranda Newbury.

“Formalising a structure for sponsorship has been extremely positive for the codes that have embraced the sponsorship programme so far. The extra funds available for equipment, uniforms, and travel expenses provides an edge which helps our students to perform at their best.”

Sponsors have already got behind rugby, rowing, basketball, and cricket as part of the programme, and can choose from three levels of support – $2000 (Bronze), $5000 (Silver), or $10,000 (Gold). Their support is acknowledged in various ways, including their names featuring on the St Andrew’s website or team uniforms. “Sponsors make such a valuable contribution to our community, in both sports, and from time to time, to the arts. We are so grateful for their generosity,” says Miranda. More recently, the McDonalds have become Gold sponsors of rugby. “It is great to see St Andrew’s athletes well presented with smart uniforms and good equipment, which I think helps teams to feel closer and more tight knit. Our main reason for being a sponsor is purely for the enjoyment of being involved,” says Steven.

He would recommend other parents and Old Collegians consider becoming part of the sponsorship programme. “Being a sponsor is a great way to be more closely involved with the sport. We have had a huge amount of enjoyment from being along for the journey, and many of our friends are other St Andrew’s parents who we have met on the side of the lake or the sports field."

Graeme Rhodes of accounting firm, Oxford Edge, is a Gold sponsor for basketball, one of the fastest growing sports at St Andrew’s. “Both my sons, Jackson (OC 2021) and Carter (Year 11), played basketball for St Andrew’s, and I was already on the committee that formed around three years ago to raise funds to support the growth of the players, and to provide coaching and development to help them achieve their goals. I see becoming a Gold sponsor as an important way to expand on this support. There has been some good early assistance for the sponsors programme and I’m convinced it puts basketball in a great position going forward.”

Steven and Jacqueline McDonald, former owners of Pak’nSave Riccarton, have been major supporters of sport at St Andrew’s for some time, and are current Gold sponsors of both rowing and rugby. Their four sons have always been involved in sport at the College, and Steven has been on the StAC Rowing Parents Committee for eight years. “The number of students rowing this season is about three times the number from when we started in 2013. A huge investment in new boats, equipment, and logistical support is needed to accommodate them, even more so in a co-educational school. We purchased a boat for the rowing club around seven years ago, and have continued our support from there.”

Top left: Gold basketball sponsor, Graeme Rhodes of Oxford Edge, presenting the half-court $100 shot cheque to Lachlan Frazer (OC 2021) during a home game in 2019. This initiative continues at the Senior Boys’ and Senior Girls’ home games. Top right: Steven and Jacqueline McDonald are Gold sponsors of both rowing and rugby at St Andrew’s.

If you are interested in participating in the Sponsorship Programme, please contact Development Co-ordinator, Mel Rissman on +64 3 940 2021.

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