The Canterbury Titans U13 team has found international sponsorship.RUSSELL Crowe should take a few tips from the under-13 Canterbury Titans rugby union team as he searches for internationals sponsors for the Rabbitohs.
While Rusty chats up fellow movie stars and gives millionaires from the US box seats, the Titans scored an international uniform sponsor after their coach had a short chat with a client at work.
The Titans leapt at the chance because they couldn't get much in the way of local sponsors, despite a terrific couple of years on the footy paddock.
Now, one of the largest email portals in the world, mail.com, has stumped up the cash for the team's uniforms.
"They have really helped the team so much financially and have taken a lot of the weight off the parents' shoulders," head coach Sy Lagaaia said.
Mr Lagaaia said he stumbled across the opportunity to secure sponsorship from the multi-million dollar company in his job.
"One of my clients at work was from mail.com and was interested in sponsoring our team straight away," he said.
"It relieved me quite a bit because we've achieved our financial goal and now we can focus on the footy."
Mr Lagaaia said he had been searching for solid sponsorship within the local area for months without success.
"Because we're just a local team and already part of a larger club, a lot of local companies couldn't sponsor us separately," he said.
The team now has enough money for quality uniforms that look and feel professional, according to Mr Lagaaia.
"We wanted the boys to play in quality uniforms that are breathable," he said.
He said the team didn't have a lot of money so used the talents of parents and friends to get things done.
"All the jerseys were designed by my 14-year-old daughter," he said.
"Everybody has gotten involved to make sure we achieve our goals."
The Titans under-13 team is also sponsored by the Australian Security Employment Agency and Bob Jane T-Marts Drummoyne.
by NATHAN KLEIN
01 April 08
