New sponsors step up to save Fairfield United’s Junior Rugby League club from ruin

A campaign to find new sponsors has brought the Fairfield United Juniors back from the dead

Fairfield Football team saved by sponsors

FAIRFIELD United Junior Rugby League club has been rescued from collapse after a last-ditch effort to secure sponsors paid off.

The club, which has nurtured footballers such as Parramatta Eels players Kris Keating and Matt Keating, was facing closure with debts and lack of support from local businesses.

But a campaign by the Carlos Fresh Fruit Market (including taking out advertisements in local newspapers) and a concerted effort by the club’s publicity and sponsorship officer Darin Leatherby has secured the club’s future.

Mr Leatherby said the new sponsors would provide a much-needed injection of funds to buy essential equipment for the teenagers and children.

“We’ll be able to buy jerseys, and jumpers for training and footballs now — it was down to that,” Mr Leatherby said. “It’s very welcome news. Carlos was absolutely amazing with their campaign to help us, we want to thank them.”

Mr Leatherby worked over the off-season trying to find support from Fairfield businesses, but had no luck.

Because of the financial difficulties, the United Junior Rugby League club had lost four teams, but is trying to rebuild.

“We are calling for kids to come down and try out, we are still registering,” Mr Leatherby said.

“There’s a lot of talent in Fairfield and we wanted to keep it going.”

With the matches beginning in just a few weeks, the club is optimistic it can rebuild its talent base and have a strong season.

Fairfield United Junior Rugby League player Charbell Leatherby, 14, was looking forward to the upcoming games.

“I can’t wait,” he said.

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