Tigers score big with massive new sponsorship

The Redcliffe AFL Tigers are set to celebrate the start of their 50^th footy season with a new state-of-the-art scoreboard thanks to the generosity of a long-time supporter.

AMIC pools are continuing the Gannon family’s association with the club, which spans more than a quarter of a century.

Owner Mick Gannon has inked a deal that will see a 10-year sponsorship donated in one big hit to allow the Tigers to install an LED scoreboard – hopefully in time for the first game of the season on April 6.

Mick says the new scoreboard will add to the Tiger’s professionalism, replacing a screen that has not worked for the past three years.

Instead, volunteers have had to drag a portable scoreboard to and fro for games on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

“We totally rely on volunteers so removing one extra job makes a big difference,” he explains.

“It makes the club look nice and professional.”

Long association

Mick says the Gannons have sponsored the Tigers for 26 years, but the relationship dates back much further.

“This relationship was not started by the Gannons, it was started by the compassion and warm-hearted Tigers community and volunteers back in 1998,” he says.

“They chose to honour my brother, who was tragically taken from us.

“The Tim Gannon trophy is awarded to the reserve grade best and fairest at the end of each season.”

High-tech scoreboard

Tigers president Gayle Wetzel Fitzgerald says the club is extremely grateful for AMIC Pools’ generosity, which will allow the new scoreboard to be controlled by a phone app.

“The old sign was brought over from Rothwell and it hasn’t worked for about three seasons.

“To get it fixed we would have had to pump a lot of money into it – the first quote was about $90,000.

“I just can’t say how thankful the club is to AMIC for coming on board.”

Giving back

Mick says AMIC, which also sponsors the under-15s girls team, believes in the power of community sports, where players and supporters learn to come together with compassion, humanity and teamwork.

“People don’t put enough emphasis on giving back,” he says.

“We can complain about the youth of today, but if none of us are prepared to give back, nothing changes.

“It’s great for the company as well – the Tigers have signed 750 players this year.

“This scoreboard will always show that the Tigers are winning, maybe not with the numbers that the board displays on the day, but with the way they endeavour to give back to the community that they love to be a part of.”