Today the Melbourne Rebels, in conjunction with Principal Partner RaboDirect, is pleased to announce the eight winning Victorian Rugby Union Clubs from their Conversions for Clubs initiative.
Twenty-five Victorian Rugby Union Clubs took part in the program aimed at promoting Rugby Union at a grassroots level while providing all important funding for local teams.
This new initiative rewarded the eight Victorian Rugby Union Clubs that provided the most RaboDirect Rebels Members, proportionate to the size of their club. Collectively the twenty-five clubs participating in the program signed up more than 1200 new members for the 2012 season.
Bendigo Fighting Miners Rugby Club finished in first place on the Conversions for Clubs ladder, alongside other winning Victorian Rugby Union Clubs Moorabbin, Box Hill, Melbourne, Harlequin, Melbourne University, Maroondah and Power House.
As winners of Conversions for Clubs, the final eight clubs will receive $5,000 each from RaboDirect as well as ‘owning’ a RaboDirect Rebels home game at AAMI Park. The RaboDirect Rebels will donate $200 for every conversion or penalty kicked during their allocated home game.
RaboDirect Rebels CEO Steve Boland praised the efforts of the VRU clubs to support their Super Rugby team.
“We are extremely pleased with the efforts of all VRU Clubs in getting behind the Conversions for Clubs initiative,” said Boland.
“I want to pass on my sincere thanks to our fantastic principal partner RaboDirect for their support of this program and to the RaboDirect Rebels commercial team for their commitment to ensuring the program’s success.
“We all look forward to the wonderful addition to Game night atmosphere that Conversion for Clubs will contribute.”
In addition to the financial benefits of the program, the eight winning clubs will have the bonus of:
1. Exposure for their Rugby Union Club on all RaboDirect and RaboDirect Rebels pre game communications
2. Scoreboard promotion of their club during their home game, each time the RaboDirect Rebels kick for conversions
3. Ground Announcements at their home game
4. An on-field cheque presentation post match
5. A RaboDirect Rebels player visit to their club following the match
Executive General Manager RaboDirect, Greg McAweeney is thrilled with the success of the program in its inaugural year.
“Conversions for Clubs came about through RaboDirect’s ongoing commitment towards cultivating Rugby Union in Victoria, with the aim of providing much needed funds and free publicity for clubs and their members”
“RaboDirect congratulates all eight winning local Victorian clubs. Their efforts in driving memberships for the RaboDirect Rebels were exemplary, and we look forward to seeing the impact of the proceeds in the coming months.” said McAweeney.
RaboDirect and the Melbourne Rebels would like to congratulate all of the Victorian Rugby Union Clubs who took part in the initiative. Clubs who participated in the program that did not finish in the final eight will all receive 50 General Admin tickets to a RaboDirect Rebels home game as a thank you for their support of the RaboDirect Rebels.