THE major sponsor of the Pioneers Basketball Club has thrown its support behind the organisation ahead of the looming decision on its future by Basketball Australia.
Castec Rural Supplies company director Chris Castine – who has been a long-time sponsor of the organisation – praised the elite sporting team and its management, as Pioneers coach Richard Hill warned the community must not let the basketball club slip through its fingers.
“We are proud to be sponsors, we love it to death and we get involved in everything you do throughout the year, including functions, raffles and the auction night,” Mr Castine said at a Mount Gambier community meeting this week about the future of the basketball club.
While the club was floundering on the bottom end of the ladder when his company first jumped on board, he said the club had since enjoyed success on and off the court with an elite women’s team in mind.
“The way the player group holds itself in the community is what makes us proud as a sponsor,” Mr Castine said.
He said the players visited schools across the region, not just in Mount Gambier.
“The kids absolutely love it and that is what we are about,” the businessman said.
“We want to sponsor that next generation coming through and to ensure the foundations are set and there is sustainability for a quality competition to remain in for the kids to come out and see and aspire to their dreams.”
Mr Castine said the passion for the club flowed across the community.
“It creates bonding within communities when people start talking about the Pioneers,” he added.
“We have seen a lot more sponsors come on board in the last five to six years, which is fantastic.”
Mr Castine said the Pioneers had a huge following across the South East and was not just limited to Mount Gambier’s population.
“Hopefully, Basketball Australia can see that and all the work you (the board) have put in,” he said.
Mr Castine said the club had a stellar culture, which laid the foundations for the future.
“This is probably one of the best cultured clubs I have seen outside any other professional sports,” he said.
Mr Castine called on other people to also consider becoming sponsors.
“For any prospective sponsors out there, jump on board – you will have a ball,” he said.
“You get great exposure and you get to create a lot of life-long friends.”
