Historic moment as long-time supporter backs Dolphins NRL

When the Dolphins enter the NRL in 2023, loyal partner Village Motors - who has been one of their biggest supporters for more than 20 years - will proudly take that historic step with them.

The club and the motor vehicle giant today announced a three-year partnership which furthers their existing strong relationship.

For more than 50 years, Village Motors has been selling and servicing new and used vehicles in Brisbane and the Moreton Bay Region. And with Village Motors’ history as a financial supporter of the Dolphins’ Queensland Cup, they were always going to be a natural addition to the Dolphins’ NRL sponsorship family.

Dolphins’ NRL chief executive Terry Reader says the partnership, which will run into 2025, is a perfect fit for the two entities.

|“Village Motors have been a long-term partner of the Dolphins team and in the sponsorship world a relationship with that longevity is special,” Reader says.|

“It is only fitting that Village Motors join us as our Official Motor Vehicle Partner as we ascend into the best rugby league competition in the world.

“We congratulate Village Motors on becoming part of this unique commercial family and with our history it feels like we are adding an old friend into the mix.”

What does the partnership mean?

“Village will be the official vehicle partner of the Dolphins NRL team and we’ll proudly have Village Motors branding on all our training kits that players will wear when we start preseason very soon on November 1,” Reader explains.

“From the club’s point of view, we wanted to look after people who have looked after us for so many years and that’s certainly what Village Motors have done – they have been a principal partner of our Q Cup club for the best-part of 20 years.

“The first people we wanted to speak to were Village to make sure in our car category, we had someone that wanted to be with us and take the next step to the NRL and provide even better exposure for the company.

“The wonderful thing about having Village Motors on board for us is the link between Brisbane and Moreton Bay – where their business services … not just Moreton Bay but the Brisbane area. It’s a great link considering we’ll be playing home games at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane but also down here at Moreton Daily Stadium.”

Village Motors' CEO Shane Olsen says it was a business decision which was the next logical step in the relationship.

“Commercially for us, as the Dolphins take the next step, we’re in a growth period ourselves ... so to get our vehicles out there, our brands out there and support the Dolphins as they grow … it just makes sense,” he explains.

Support for club runs deep

Village Motors’ Managing Director, and passionate Dolphins’ supporter Marlene Newcombe says her team is proud to be part of the Dolphins’ graduation into the NRL.

“Village Motors is incredibly proud to announce our partnership with the Dolphins as they get ready to tackle the 2023 NRL competition,” said Mrs Newcombe.

“Our Village team has passionately supported the mighty Dolphins for more than 20 years and we’re proud to continue this partnership as the Dolphins enter a new era.”

Marlene has been involved with the club since her son played under-7s about 50 years ago and she is now on the Dolphins NRL Club board, and a passionate supporter of the Queensland Cup team.

“There’s four of us who go to the games and we just go crazy,” she says.

“We follow the team. We know the team, the club’s very good and very good to me as well.”

|“It’s a bit of history, isn’t it. I’m a Glasshouse member too. We’re counting down the days until the Dolphins run out onto the field for the first time in 2023.|

“It’s going to be an incredible ‘coming of age’ moment for the club and its whole supporter network, and Village Motors is proud to be part of it.”