16 Dec 2023 04:24am
The Melbourne Rebels have signed a new community partner and kit sponsor with the deals capping off a great start of season for the Super Rugby Pacific franchise.
The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) becomes the Rebel’s community partner and will leverage the arrangement through a dedicated TAC – Road Safety round for all clubs in the feeder competitions, the Premiership and Premiership Reserve Shield.
TAC will also play a major role as a partner of the Melbourne Rebels Regional Tour which will engage rugby fans throughout country Victoria.
Core to the deal will be access to the Rebels platforms for sharing TAC’s safety message. This will work particularly through social media content and programs that engage young people, raising awareness on key road safety issues.
The deal will also see Rebels staff, players, and pathway participants receive three road safety education sessions per year.
Melbourne Rebels CEO, Baden Stephenson, said the arrangement places emphasis on the regions where demand for rugby has never been greater. He added this focus on country Victoria was important because the road toll is proportionately higher there.
Meanwhile, security specialist, CyberCX has joined the Rebels as a premier partner.
This arrangement will see branding on the top back of the men’s jersey as well as on the back of shorts worn by the Rebels Super W squad.
The team commercial manager, Cameron McFarlane, told Sponsorship News that CyberCX had been a partner of Tennis Australia at this year’s Australian Open and this led to a discussion about partnering the Rebels.
He said the company had been courted by a few Melbourne professional sports clubs but the club’s commercial team had managed to finalise the deal so that branding could be on the Rebels jersey for last Friday’s match.
CyberCX has an existing program aimed at increasing women’s participation in its industry and the sponsorship is intended to boost the initiative. The men’s and women’s round five clash will see a significant match-day activation by CyberCX to promote just this endeavour.