Growing Together: Stories of Successful Local Sponsorships

May 19, 2023

One of the most fascinating aspects of sport is the interaction it establishes with the local community. This connection manifests itself in various ways, but one of the most tangible and visible occurs when businesses decide to sponsor local athletes or teams.
This synergy not only helps sportspeople to fund their activities, but also contributes to strengthening the bond between the company and the community.
Let’s examine some examples of successful local sponsorships.

Da Giorgio Restaurant and the local football team

We start with an Italian example, from the small town of Montecatini.

Here, Da Giorgio restaurant, known for its Tuscan cuisine, decided to support the local football team, Montecatini FC.

In addition to providing pre-game and post-game meals to the players, the restaurant created a thematic menu in honor of the team.

This sponsorship had a significant impact both for the restaurant and for the team. On the one hand, the visibility of the restaurant increased, with new customers attracted by the partnership. On the other, the team benefited from financial and moral support, improving their performances on the field.

Coop and the rowing athlete

Another example of successful local sponsorship comes from Switzerland.

The Coop supermarket chain chose to support a promising young rowing athlete from the area.

Coop provided the necessary financial support for the athlete’s training and competitions, while in return, the athlete participated in various promotional events for the company.

This partnership helped to increase Coop‘s visibility among young consumers and allowed the athlete to focus on his performances, achieving significant results at the national level.

The Green Grocer and the local cycling team in the United States

In the US, The Green Grocer, an organic grocery store in Portland, Oregon, sponsored a local cycling team.

The store provided organic and healthy meals to the cyclists, promoting a healthy lifestyle in the community at the same time.

This partnership led to an increase in visibility for The Green Grocer and provided valuable support to the cycling team.

La Montanara Brewery and the rugby team

Finally, an example from France.

The small La Montanara brewery began sponsoring the local rugby team, the Lions de Montagne.

In addition to providing beer for the club’s social events, the brewery created a special one in honor of the team.

This sponsorship helped to strengthen the brewery’s reputation as a company committed to the local community, while the team benefited from financial support that allowed them to further develop their activities.

Sports sponsorships and community

These examples demonstrate both how companies can benefit from supporting local athletes, and how sports sponsorship is used worldwide to create a positive impact on communities.

These partnerships not only help athletes and teams to reach their goals, but also strengthen and promote the company’s image and reputation, creating a closer bond with the community in which it is inserted.

In an increasingly global world, local connections remain of fundamental importance.

If you are a company looking for new opportunities for community involvement, consider sponsoring a local athlete or team.

It could be the start of a successful partnership.