Photo: Northern Pride Head Coach Jason Demetriou, Pride CEO Brock Schaefer, Sea Swift CEO Fred White and Pride chairman Bob Fowler. (Pride Media)
IN a massive boost to the Northern Pride and rugby league in Far North Queensland in general, the club has today announced Northern Australia shipping company Sea Swift as its new naming rights sponsor.
Sea Swift, which has a huge local presence employing more than 350 people in Far North Queensland, have committed for the next four years. Their investment is the biggest sponsorship in the Prides history.
Speaking today, Sea Swift Chief Executive Fred White said the sponsorship reflected the strong commitment his organisation has made and would continue to make in the region.
"Sea Swift knows the importance of the Pride to the people of Far North Queensland, Mr White said.
This football club is a sporting icon in the region and has earned that position through perseverance, commitment to their supporters and success on the field.
We are proud to be involved.
Mr White said Sea Swift, which supplies sea freight, mothershipping, project logistics and passenger cruise services across Cape York Peninsula, the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Torres Strait, as well as in the Northern Territory, have a long history in the region stretching back more than 25 years.
Just like the Pride, we are here for the long haul, and it is our intention to provide the club with the ability to move forward with confidence, he said.
We have been proud supporters of the clubs award-winning Take Pride Program for several years, and see this as another important step in strengthening our partnership.
"This is more than a simple sponsorship - this is a statement from Sea Swift about what is important to us."
Also speaking today, Northern Pride Chief Executive Officer Brock Schaefer said the new partnership was great news for everyone associated with the Club.
"We already have an existing and successful partnership with Sea Swift through the Take Pride Program, and today's announcement is a natural and very welcome extension of that relationship," Schaefer said.
"We share a number of common bonds and are both committed to success.
"This partnership gives the Pride the financial foundation to build a formidable future.
It gives us strength and purpose, and allows us now to focus on long-term security.
We are thrilled to work with a locally-based and growing organisation that shares our commitment to the community, and providing opportunities for locals.
Corporate sponsorships are at their strongest when there is shared culture and values between both parties, and that is the enduring strength of our relationship with Sea Swift.
We are now seeking to further extend our sponsorship family, and look forward to many organisations following Sea Swifts lead.
Sea Swift Northern Pride is currently undergoing a full governance and strategic planning review to ensure it meets best practice standards as it seeks to be remain at the forefront of the Australian Rugby League Commissions 2013-2017 Strategic Plan.
The Sea Swift brand will adorn the Pride playing jerseys for the 2014 Intrust Super Cup season.
For more details on Sea Swift, visit www.seaswift.com.au
