News
Tigers aim for top with new sponsorship deal
Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:12:00
The silky skills of some classy indigenous players are sure to have Tiger fans roaring this season.
Red Cliffs will this year be led by one of country Victoria’s best playing coaches in Troy Moncur, who has been joined by an influx of quality indigenous players.
And a historic sponsorship deal between the Red Cliffs Tigers and the Mildura Aboriginal Corporation is laying the foundation for the resurgence at Tigerland.
The Koori organisation has signed on as a major sponsor and an influx of quality indigenous players already has fans talking up at least a top four finish for the first time since 2009.
The sponsorship deal is under MAC’s Healthy for Life program, which has involved proactive initiatives to increase health and physical activity in the Koori community.
“Initiatives such as a Healthy New Year Challenge, our riverfront boot camps and swimming programs are getting a really good response,” MAC chief executive Rudolph Kirby said yesterday.
“But we have to look at all sorts of ways to underline the importance of sport and physical activity to a healthy lifestyle, and a sponsorship deal with an SFL club will do that,” he said.
“Red Cliffs seemed like the natural choice. There are about a dozen new Koori players out there this season, and there’s a great opportunity for us to use those players and the club as role models in other programs we are running.”
Red Cliffs coach Troy Moncur is joined at the club by former AFL Premiership player Shannon Motlop, who’s taking on the role of Player Development. Former Robinvale player John Jackson is also with the Tigers, and has been assigned a new indigenous development role.
The Tigers president David Hensgen said he was confident Tigers fans would see an improvement from the club’s second-last placing in the last season.
“We are certainly looking for better results. The training has been a pleasure to watch over the past few weeks – we have some exciting players and we just need to put it together on game day,” he said.
“It’s good to have sponsors like MAC on board, because it underpins the financial side of running the club, and that, in turn allows us to put a quality side on the field.”