Soccer side scores sponsorship deal

Takapuna Grammar School’s 1st XI soccer team has scored a lucrative sponsorship deal with New Zealand’s leading real estate agency – netting support for a new kit and touring expenses to compete in a national competition.

Bayleys Real Estate signed up to underwrite much of the 1st XI’s costs - which will now see the boys turning up in smart new track suits for the coming few seasons, and will allow the team to compete in a national soccer tournament in Hamilton by contributing to travel and accommodation costs.

Takapuna Grammar School 1st XI manager Bill Lissington said the sponsorship deal with Bayleys was highly appreciated – particularly at a time when many New Zealand companies were shrinking their sponsorship activities because of the recession.

“Attracting sponsorship for secondary school sport is difficult at the best of times, so we welcome the association with Bayleys. Takapuna Grammar School and Bayleys share similar heritages – well-established links within the Auckland community, a sense of pride in our pasts, and ambitions to be the best in our chosen fields of endeavour,” Mr Lissington said.

Bayleys managing director Mike Bayley said the company had a proud tradition of supporting grass-roots sports throughout the country - at both school and club level. Elsewhere in Auckland for example, Bayleys was the primary sponsor of the Kings College 1st XV rugby team, and had also assisted with fundraising activities for Westlake Boys High School’s rowing squad.

“Bayleys is passionately committed to the future of New Zealand, and strongly values our involvement with the next generation of talent this country is producing in both the academic and sporting fields,” Mr Bayley said.

“Our commitment is visible by sponsorship of teams such as the Takapuna Grammar 1st XI, and we wish the squad all the best in its quest for promotion into the higher leagues.”