JVW Ladies secure lucrative sponsorship
JOBURG – Sasol Women's League side, JVW has secured a lucrative sponsorship from the world's oldest football brand.
Reigning champions of the Sasol Women’s League, JVW Ladies Football Club, have secured a lucrative two-year sponsorship deal from one of the oldest sports brands, Mitre.
The partnership, which encompasses the Sasol team and all its youth divisions, will see the Sasol Gauteng champions and national runners-up after national champions, Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies, playing with the Mitre relay ball, a tough foam-backed thermoplastic polyurethane ball, which is soft but durable.
The Mitre brand, established in 1817 celebrates its 200th year and the official ball of 40 FA cup finals, has acquired the rights status of being JVW’s official ball supplier for the next two years.
As part of the two-year partnership, Mitre will provide balls and technical equipment to all teams in the JVW stable, which is a ladies franchise owned by Banyana Banyana captain, Janine van Wyk.
The Bedfordview-based JVW joins the Premier Soccer League trio of Bloemfontein Celtic, Platinum Stars and Maritzburg United in Mitre’s locally sponsored clubs.
While Mitre is the world’s oldest football brand, the company also has a long heritage with non-football iconic sports. Muhammad Ali wore Mitre at his 59th professional fight against Leon Spinks, and Mitre was also the official ball supplier to the 1987 Rugby World Cup.
In 2003, the Mitre ball was used in the Netball World Championships held in Jamaica, and England’s national netball team also appeared at the same tournament wearing Mitre apparel; while Australian cricket legend and record-breaking test wicket-taker, Shane Warne, was signed to wear Mitre footwear and protection.
Mitre is the English Football League’s (EFL) official ball supplier and the Delta Hyperseam is featured in 1 656 matches across the Sky Bet Championship, leagues 1 and 2 this season.
Mitre is also the official ball to be used in the EFL Cup Final between Manchester United and Southampton to be played at Wembley Stadium on 26 February.
Grant Stephen, managing director of Legacy Sports and Leisure, which owns the Mitre distribution rights in South Africa, said when they acquired the Mitre brand in 2014 they immediately decided to re-focus on the football market where the inherent strength of the brand lies.
Grant Nicholls, managing director of Papadi Sports Marketing and official agent of Mitre was equally delighted with the deal. “Women’s football is growing in leaps and bounds and JVW is an excellent club to drive the brand as they are constantly striving to improve.”
Lauren Duncan, JVW spokesperson commended Mitre for their commitment to the growth of women’s football. “We are extremely pleased to have partnered with Mitre and commend the brand for getting involved and backing women’s football.”
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