Rand Merchant Bank sponsors South African National Rowing Sqaud
JOBURG – This will mean a major boost for the national team and rowing as a sport in the country.
Rand Merchant Bank has announced a three-year sponsorship of the South African National Rowing Squad.
This will mean a major boost for the national team and rowing as a sport in the country. The sponsorship brings along with it a significant cash injection to be administered by the Team Powerhouse Trust.
The trust will also work with Rowing South Africa (RowSA) to further the development of rowing and will enable athletes to compete and prepare internationally for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
The bank is also working with various rowing schools to support grassroots initiatives which will, in turn, feed the national squad for years to come. As part of their sponsorship, the bank becomes the named sponsor of four regattas held across the country.
Head of brand at the bank, Lucy Lightfoot, spoke to Sandton Chronicle at the official sponsorship launch on 24 August at the bank’s offices in Sandton. “This event is about celebrating the partnership with RowSA and marking what we can do together ahead of Tokyo,” Lightfoot said.
“To be aligned with a strong national side is a huge opportunity for [our] brand. We want to transform the sport to win many medals at an international level. Much of our funding is going into development so we can feed the talent pipeline for the national squad.”
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Chief executive officer of the bank, James Formby said, “Rowing is one of the founding sports of the modern Olympic movement and South African rowers have steadily grown their medal contributions over the years.
“With minimal financial support, the squad has had to be innovative in finding, training and supporting athletes. [The bank] is proud to support the team as they work to make our nation proud.”
Chairman of the trust, Paolo Cavalieri said, “The SA rowing scene has proven itself to be the David among Goliaths – both by winning a gold medal at the London Olympics in 2012, and again by qualifying for five A finals and winning silver at the Rio Olympics last year.
“We are able to do this thanks to the support of Sascoc [South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee] and now Rand Merchant Bank, and we are looking forward to Tokyo 2020 and beyond with increased determination.”
National rowing coach, Roger Barrow said, “People always think of the Dusi when they hear about rowing, but this gives us great branding and a profile. We haven’t had sponsorship in the past, but now athletes can continue to row later on in life. There are currently only 2 000 rowers in South Africa and we want to grow our base.”
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