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Select Brands teams up with Waterhouse FC
November 28, 2024
Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL) CEO Owen Hill, who was on hand to witness Waterhouse FC sign a five-year sponsorship deal with premier wines, spirits, beer and non-alcoholic distributors Select Brands at the club's Drewsland Mini-Stadium yesterday, endorsed the idea of corporate companies supporting clubs in a substantial way and called on more entities to follow suit.
Select Brands have committed to sponsoring Waterhouse FC to $45 million over the next five years.
"It is massive for the league and the club itself. Just having corporate giants coming on board and supporting in meaningful ways is important for the sustenance and livelihood of both the clubs and the league," Hill said.
"We like the fact that it is a multi-year sponsorship because it helps with continuity and growth and the club itself will be benefactors. So I hope more companies see the movement and reach out," he told STAR Sports.
Waterhouse FC chairman Bruce Bicknell acknowledged the financial boost, saying, "Waterhouse has been hand to mouth over the past two years. But this year we gained two more sponsors in addition to ICWI and National Bakery, Spectrum and Select came on board. So,hopefully, it will not be hand to mouth any more and we will eventually show a profit at the end of the season.
"So it really is a big plus and a positive move to have Select Brands on board," he said.
Club president Donovan White says they will use the funds to build together, beautify, expand, decorate and create an environment at the stadium that is conducive to family gatherings and good football.
However, much of the money will go into working capital, to ensure they are efficient, they manage supply arrangements, players' contracts and ensure operational responsibilities.
"So we are committed to this partnership and committed to the things we promise we will do and what they've (Select Brands) promised they will do," White stated.
Managing director of Select Brands David McConnell said his marketing team will also play its part in enhancing the matchday experience at Drewsland.
"We challenge our marketing meeting team to make these games more exciting. But like every great partnership, we start at day one and we will be building. And we are going to grow and build together," he said.
Coach Marcel Gayle said the importance of the sponsorship could not be overstated.
"To try and put in words what this sponsorship means to Waterhouse is difficult. In all my life this must be the biggest sponsorship. So we are extremely grateful for what Select Brands have done. This motivates us ... in a financially-strapped time like this it will go a far way in helping the club," Gayle stated.
