Crucial.
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That one word is how AFL North West vice-president Josh McKenzie described the competition’s partnership with new major sponsor Greater Bank.
The firm has signed a one-year naming rights sponsorship deal, with an option for another.
“We’re rapt to have Greater Bank on board,” McKenzie said.
“It’s expensive to run any competition and this sponsorship is crucial to us as a league.
“Sponsors and players really cover the costs here because we don’t get the crowds through the gate like you do in the southern states.
“This support allows us to help cover costs of umpires because they travel vast distances.
“It will also help us with our better players when it comes to the representative arena.
“We can now focus on delivering a great season.”
The naming rights covers AFL North West’s men’s, junior and inaugural women’s competition, which is looking a strong chance of being established.
Greater Bank Tamworth branch manager Mitchell Balderston said the company was delighted to support the competition.
“We’re looking forward to developing a partnership with a growing league,” Balderston said.
“Sport plays a huge role in our society, no more so than in regional areas such as Tamworth and the surrounding communities.
“We also know the importance of supporting the communities that support us, which is why we are very pleased to put our name to the Greater Bank AFL North West in 2017.”
The company will display signage at a number of venues, including Tamworth No.1 Oval, Armidale’s Bellevue Oval and Wolseley Oval in Gunnedah.
Both parties are hoping it will be the start of a long partnership.
“We’re keen to build a strong relationship between us and Greater Bank going forward,” McKenzie said.
Round one of the AFL North West (formerly AFL Tamworth) season starts on Saturday with Tamworth Swans travelling to Narrabri, Moree hosting Inverell and New England Nomads up against Gunnedah.