Sponsor tackling Coast assignment

SUNSHINE Coast Rugby Union has received a major boost after yesterday announcing Caloundra RSL as its naming rights sponsor for the senior A-grade competition.

Press conference of Sunshine Coast Rugby Union premiership sponsored by Caloundra RSL. Caloundra RSL general manager Steve Fromont and SCRU president Glenn Ferguson with the premiership cup. Picture: Nicholas Falconer

THE SEASON is approaching the halfway mark but Sunshine Coast Rugby Union has received a major boost after yesterday announcing Caloundra RSL as its naming rights sponsor for the senior A-grade competition.

The competition will now be called the Caloundra RSL Premiership with the organisation coming on board for the remainder of the 2011 season.

Up until the end of 2009, the competition was called the RJW Gas Services Cup. But the business didn’t renew its sponsorship in 2010 and the premiership has been left nameless since.

SCRU president Glenn Ferguson said grassroots rugby would benefit greatly from the deal.

“We want to see rugby continue to grow on the Coast and take a prominent position in the sporting calendar,” he said.

“Grassroots rugby is very important to us all. We all enjoy following a club and putting our time into assisting clubs.

“Grassroots rugby in seniors, juniors and schools will benefit greatly from this.

“There’s a strong senior competition here. The clubs are very passionate. You’ve only got to go to a grand final to see the passion.”

Caloundra RSL is now the naming rights sponsor of the SCRU and Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League A-grade competitions.

The club has been with the rugby league competition, Caloundra RSL Cup, for the past three seasons.

“It’s a bit of a late call but we’re happy to be involved,” Caloundra RSL general manager Steve Fromont said.

“Rugby’s enjoyed an increase in profile on the Sunshine Coast ...it’s all about the grassroots structures that feed the higher competitions.

“We’re doing our part to spread the sponsorship dollar as best as we can across all sports.”

Fromont said the RSL would assess the relationship at season’s end before committing to next season.

“It’d be nice to see the Caloundra Lighthouses on the premiership trophy,” he joked.

“We’re proceeding with talks for next year but we’ll see how we go with this year.”

Originally published as Sponsor tackling Coast assignment