Port Elizabeth-based fitness group Planet FitSmart signed their second high profile sponsorship deal of the month when they committed to a three-year plan with local Premier Soccer League (PSL) club, Bay United, on Friday.
The sponsorship deal, believed to be valued in the region of R500 000, brings the group’s total commitment to top-level sport in the province to over R800 000. They signed EP Rugby to a one-year deal two weeks ago.
Steve Murray, owner of Planet FitSmart in Walmer, a division of the Planet Fitness franchise, says they believe that it is their responsibility to contribute to sport and wellness in the region.
“The Eastern Cape has a wealth of talent and local business can lend impetus to both organised sport and individual sportsmen through sponsorships and ongoing support,” he says.
Murray says with the 2010 World Cup around the corner, the sport’s profile is set to increase markedly in South Africa, but more specifically in the Eastern Cape. He says Bay United’s presence in the PSL will also increase awareness of the code.
“We view this association as an investment in our local community, but also as a strategic move in building our brand among all South Africans.”
According to Vuyo Mvoko, Bay United’s head of communications & marketing, the club has built a solid relationship with Planet FitSmart over the past couple of months and the formalisation of the agreement is a natural progression of this relationship.
“We commend Planet FitSmart for their foresight,” says Mvoko. “Bay United is a club of the future and modern sport has become big business.
“Teams like ours are continually looking for an edge and this agreement will certainly put us in good stead in this regard.” Mvoko says the group offers state-of-the-art facilities and that their players will benefit tremendously from the relationship.
He says sponsorships of this nature exist between training facilities and most of the established clubs like Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.
Planet FitSmart will sponsor the club’s PSL squad with 36-month national contracts. They will also be responsible for the conditioning of the team.
Murray says their personal trainers will run Bay United’s in-club fitness sessions and conduct player fitness assessments.
“We will be presenting a complete pre-season, in-season and off-season conditioning plan to Bay United next week.”
Issued by:
Full stop Communications
Coetzee Gouws
082 575 7991
041 368 4992
coetzee@fullstopcom.com
www.fullstopcom.com
On behalf of:
Planet FitSmart & Signature Communications