Most businesses sponsoring sport in Canberra would be content with throwing their financial support behind one club.
But Ray White Canberra Group, a real estate agency comprising more than 100 people and one of the top businesses within the Australia-wide Ray White Group, is already the major backer of the Gungahlin Eagles. They also sponsor Uni Norths Owls and are investors in the Brumbies Women’s program.
The group has now added Wests Rugby to its portfolio, meaning the group supports three rugby clubs involved in the John I Dent Cup.
The deal will see the Ray White Canberra Group logo featured on the front of Wests’ first-grade men’s and women’s jerseys and on all junior jumpers.
Chair of the Ray White Canberra Group, former player Ben Faulks, said there were many reasons for financially supporting Wests.
“I know many of the volunteers involved in the Wests program from my playing days, and they are all passionate about making an impact to keep rugby thriving in the region,” Mr Faulks explained.
“Being able to support them in that endeavour is something we are excited to be a part of.”
Now with two clubs carrying the Ray White logo on the front of their jerseys, it makes sense for these clubs to engage in a three-game, home and away tournament. Named the Ray White Cup, Wests and Gungahlin will battle it out over the 2023 season to see which team will become the holder of the inaugural Ray White Cup.
“The Ray White Cup is an exciting initiative that we look forward to exploring with both clubs to help raise the profile of rugby in the community,” he said.
And there is an added incentive for the clubs.
“For the winning club, there will be a community grant on offer to invest back into their development programs, as well as bragging rights.”
Wests Rugby president Richard Wyche said the Ray White Cup adds a new dimension to the 2023 season: “The prospect of a ‘Ray White Cup’ is very exciting in what is shaping up to be a fantastic year for rugby in 2023.”
The Ray White Canberra Group sponsorship of Wests Rugby also provides vital support to the club’s junior programs.
“We know that local sports clubs are part of the fabric of a strong community, and rugby, in particular, provides a unique sense of camaraderie and inclusion which aligns with the values of our business,” said Faulks.
The sponsorship of Wests and Gungahlin, along with Uni Norths and junior programs, comes on top of the Ray White Canberra Group’s commitment to the Brumbies Women’s rugby players.
The group directly funds the Brumbies Women’s program by covering out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the players. This provides further incentive for many of the players to continue playing the game.
The support from the Ray White Canberra Group will help keep rugby in the ACT alive and thriving well into the future.
Original Article published by Tim Gavel on Riotact.