Getting Sponsorship for Your 6-a-Side Team
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Compared to other pastimes, 6-a-side football is relatively inexpensive. If you want to join a local league, like one of the several run by Soccer Gods, all it will cost you is your monthly [weekly? I don’t know how often they charge] membership fee, your kit, and your travel to and from the matches. There might be some auxiliary expenses involved, such as celebratory (or commiseratory) drinks after the match, but you can normally keep outlay down to a minimum.
Of course, if you want to splash the cash a little bit, there’s nothing stopping you. You can invest in your own team colours, a custom logo, the latest footwear, and even your own team minivan if you have the funds for it. If that kind of thing appeals to you, but you don’t have the budget to cover it, why not consider getting a sponsor for your team?
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6-a-side Sponsorship
Corporate sponsorship isn’t just for the big leagues. Many businesses and organisations are happy to support local sports teams for the goodwill and publicity that it brings them. Team sponsorship at the grassroots level is a great way for them to give back to the community, and, as direct advertising strategies go, it offers them a good return on investment. Their logo on their shirts gets their brand noticed by people in their immediate area, which is exactly the kind of targeted campaign most companies are looking for.
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How to Find a Sponsor
The easiest way is to find a company with whom you already have a connection. This could be your own place of work, if you’re friendly enough with the boss, or it could be a friend or family member that runs a local business.
Failing that, are you a regular customer at a coffee shop, restaurant, or pub—anywhere where you and the owner know each other by sight, if not by name?
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What Sponsorship Covers
This will depend on several factors, notably your sponsor’s advertising budget and your own negotiating skills. Typically, you would want sponsorship to include a new matching kit for the team, any membership or competition fees, and a small stipend to cover your travel expenses. Anything over and above that can be put towards team-building sessions, gym membership, or anything else that the team needs to thrive.
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The Downside to Sponsorship
You need to stay on your sponsor’s good side if you want to continue benefiting from your partnership. That means being on your best behaviour, both on and off the pitch. While poor conduct on the 6-a-side court will be called out at the time by the referee, misbehaving in public can bring your sponsors into disrepute, especially if you’re wearing a kit with their name and logo on it.
Register your team
Whether you have a sponsor or not, 6-a-side teams of every level are welcome at Soccer Gods. Get in touch with us today to register your interest in joining a local league.