A FOOTBALL club is set to cash in on the latest “word of mouth” marketing trend from the United States.
Edina Hibs boys’ club is one of the first amateur teams in Scotland to sign up to a new scheme run by former Edinburgh Wanderers rugby player David Borrowman.
Instead of a flat sponsorship fee, the club receives a cut of between five and 15 per cent of all new business won by the sponsors as a result of the deal.
The way that all Scottish amateur sports clubs are funded is set to be revolutionised by the launch of a brand new initiative called SPORTSassist.
This initiative could mean an end to Scottish clubs relying on sporadic donations and erratic sponsorship deals to finance their activities.
SPORTSassist is made up of a select team of professional business providers who are passionate about sport and are keen to support amateur sports clubs financially.
The simple concept is that these providers will pay money to clubs who market their services, via a SPORTSassist marketing payment. The more successful the clubs marketing is, the more money the club will make. The providers offer a huge range of valuable services, at normal market rates, which members will regularly require, such as insurance, mortgages, accountancy services, marketing advice, website design, financial services and many more. The more work that is directed to the professional providers by the club, the higher the marketing fees will be.
David Borrowman, principal partner of SPORTSassist, has been approached by many sports clubs over the years for charitable donations or one-off sponsorship deals, and has created SPORTSassist in the hope that the initiative will provide a more effective way for clubs to achieve long-term financial security:
“On a personal level my family and I have been involved with sports clubs at all levels for as long as I can remember. Although my rugby playing days are now far behind me, I have seen my children’s sports clubs facing exactly the same struggles for new strips, equipment, transport and practice facilities as my club did 30 years ago. My partners and I have spent many months looking for a realistic solution, and have created SPORTSassist as a way for UK sports clubs of any size to regain control over their finances.”
“If clubs can motivate their officials and their members they can create continuing revenue streams. This is self help – not pleading with others for awards of money. If clubs and officials have the same passion for sport as we have – funding problems for clubs can be resolved permanently.”
He adds, “It is important to stress that the initiative has been designed to add to the flow of funds coming into a club – not replace existing monies. It is not intended to conflict with any traditional sponsorships a club may have and if clubs have any other type of sponsor we urge them to keep these arrangements in place. If the initiative proves a success for their club, it may even make it easier for them to obtain traditional sponsorship.”
Steve Ponton is secretary with Edina Hibs B.C, one of the first clubs to try out the SPORTSassist initiative:
“Since becoming involved with SPORTSassist we can see the benefits that their innovative and unique approach to “sponsorship” has brought to the table. We look forward to many years of involvement. Our players benefit through new strips and equipment, our members through sound and professional advice and the club itself is now on a stronger financial footing.”
SPORTSassist is available to all amateur clubs in Scotland immediately, with plans to expand the initiative into England in due course.
For further information visit www.sportsassist.org.uk, telephone 0845 855 7711 or email: enquiries@sportsassist.co.uk.
To arrange an interview with David Borrowman, principal partner of SPORTSassist, or with spokespeople from sports clubs who have used the service, contact Helen Croney on 01577 866 776, 07751 695 854 or email helen@sigmacommunications.co.uk.
SPORTS clubs which are strapped for cash have the chance to get some extra funding.
Just launched is SPORTSassist, which is made up of businesses who will give cash to Renfrewshire clubs who market their services.
The more successful the club’s marketing is, the more money a club will make, according to organisers law group Caesar Howie.
SPORTS clubs in Kilmarnock could soon no longer have to rely on sporadic donations for funding, thanks to a new initiative.
SPORTSassist is made up of a select team of professional business providers who are passionate about sport and are keen to support amateur sports clubs financially.
AMATEUR sports clubs in Scotland will have an opportunity to put their finances on a more even keel thanks to a new initiative, SPORTSassist, made up of a team of professional business providers who are passionate about sport and, apparently, “are keen to support amateur clubs financiall”.
Read more in the Scotsman
AMATEUR sports clubs are being given a coaching lesson in finance, thanks to a new scheme. SPORTSassist is an organised alternative to the traditional sponsorship of clubs by businesses.
Created by Glasgow law firm Caesar and Howie, businesses instead pay money to sports clubs which market their services.
The more successful the club’s marketing, the more money it will rake in. Read more in the Evening Times
AN INITIATIVE called SPORTSassist has been launched in Scotland to help amateur sports clubs achieve financial goals. A division of law group Caesar and Howie has created a team of business providers who are “passionate about sport”.
Read more in the Business Section of the Scotsman
Well – we’ve launched – that’s our news for now! After over a year of research, planning, testing ideas, discussions with interested parties, and headscratching we are now ready to go. We are passionate about sport, particularly amateur or semi professional sports. Sport plays a major part in UK society with massive numbers of people either participating in sport regularly or having some other involvement such as watching friends or relatives participate or even helping to run sports clubs. Yet whilst this widespread interest exists, clubs and sports bodies up and down the country face a constant battle to stay afloat financially. There are a number of bodies to which clubs can go for finance, but almost all funds available are for capital projects. Most clubs can’t even afford to think of capital projects – they are desperate for an increased income flow just to keep going.
We believe with our ideas, combined with the efforts of the clubs and club officials we can transform this bleak picture. Please be in touch
SPORTSassist is a new funding venture for British sport. See the website www.sportsassist.org.uk. SPORTSassist is a division of Caesar & Howie the Central Scotland Law Group.
