Sport sponsorship program wins peak award

A program that helps local sport clubs secure sponsorship deals while Victoria University students gain invaluable work experience has received a peak industry award.

The sponsorship assistance program – a joint initiative of VU and the Maribyrnong City Council – received VicSport’s 2015 sport development initiative award last week.

Now in its fifth year, the sponsorship program brings together second-year students from VU’s sport management courses and managers from local sport and recreation clubs. Together, they identify sponsorship needs and students design sponsorship proposals to address these needs.

The proposals are then presented to the club’s committee.

The clubs may invite the students to activate their sponsorship proposals or become committee board members, further enhancing the students’ industry experience and expanding their professional networks.

Associate Professor Clare Hanlon of VU’s College of Sport and Exercise Science, who developed the program, said clubs that activate a proposal have received up to $4500 in sponsorship. At the same time, students gain confidence in their ability to work with sport clubs and increase their employability skills.

Dr Hanlon estimates that more than 150 sport clubs across Victoria have secured some $100,000 in sponsorships of cash, gifts or in-kind support from local businesses through the program.

Past beneficiaries of the program include the Western Crusaders Gridiron Club, Kingsville Baptist Cricket Club, and Yarraville Glory Soccer Club.