Basketball Victoria and Spalding are pleased to announce the first-time partnership between the two organisations.
This partnership sees Spalding become the Official Ball for all Basketball Victoria programs, competitions and events, as well as having specially designed Official Game Balls for all Basketball Victoria representative leagues including: the Melbourne United Victorian Junior Basketball League and Big V in 2019.
Providing more Victorians with the opportunity to play more basketball more often, Spalding’s partnership with Basketball Victoria will facilitate the delivery of basketballs across the state; broadening the game’s reach into grassroots areas, clubs and schools. Spalding is also well positioned to support plans for Basketball Victoria’s various platforms of growth and expansion over the next 5 years.
The organisations are working together to develop a brand-new basketball range that is designed specifically for Victorian basketball, yet integrates the quality and innovation utilised across the NBA and Basketball Australia properties.
Spalding Managing Director, Chris Lambert, says it’s an exciting time to be involved in the sport.
“Spalding is absolutely thrilled to be commencing a new long-term partnership with Basketball Victoria. In aligning with Victoria, the epicentre of basketball participation in Australia, Spalding continues with a dedication to invest, add value and support the game at all levels across the country. It’s an incredibly exciting time for basketball in Australia, with such strong talent represented at an NBA and WNBA level, coupled with thriving participation numbers at a grassroots level. Spalding is a pioneer and proud stakeholder of the game and we are excited to play our role in ensuring Victorian basketball continues to prosper and grow” says Chris Lambert.
Extending Spalding’s footprint across Australia, this new partnership allows Spalding to assist Basketball Victoria in elevating the playing experience, celebrate everything that is great about the game and provide support with local participation and player pathways.
Basketball Victoria CEO, Nick Honey, is thrilled about the opportunities the new partnership will bring.
“Being the Official NBA and WNBA Game Ball, Spalding’s credibility in basketball speaks for itself. This is an exciting announcement for the Victorian basketball community. Our aim is to give every child the opportunity to experience our amazing sport. Through our partnership, we believe we can provide a platform for every participant, no matter where you are in the Basketball Victoria pathway. Every year of the partnership, we will distribute thousands of balls across Victoria for kids to play with, keeping children active, plus the tailored Official Game Balls add a great level of sophistication and excitement for those participating in our leagues.” – says Nick Honey.
The 5-year deal commences January 1, 2019.
FAQs accompany this announcement and further details regarding distribution and opportunities to purchase Spalding products will follow in the coming months.
About Spalding
Founded by A.G Spalding back in 1876, the global sports brand has been a sporting equipment innovation leader for more than 140 years. Since inventing the first ever basketball in 1894, Spalding today continues to be a leading brand across many sports, with a significant focus and investment in basketball. Spalding has been the Official Game Ball of the NBA for over 30 years, and locally have been entrenched and dedicated to the game at all levels, as Official Game ball of Basketball Australia including the Boomers and Opals, as well as the Official Game Ball of Basketball NSW, Basketball QLD, Basketball WA, Basketball SA and Basketball ACT. Spalding also has local partnerships with key Victorian associations, including Dandenong, Knox and Kilsyth.
Spalding is a division of Russell Corporation Australia, manufacturers of Russell Athletic, Sherrin and Spalding brands.
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