TAREE and Wauchope's Hastings River greyhound clubs have both received a massive boost, with confirmation of a lucrative sponsorship deal with corporate bookmaker, Bbet.
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The six-figure deal is a tremendous coup for both clubs and ultimately all participants in the region. The deal will see Bbet have racetrack signage at both clubs, signage also on the winning post, starting boxes and catching pen, and venue naming rights at both tracks.
"This sponsorship deal with Bbet is a fitting reward for all the hard work and contributions of the staff and volunteers at both clubs," Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) Chief Executive Officer Tony Mestrov said.
"From an industry perspective it is tremendous to welcome on board another corporate partner in Bbet, and at a time when our turnover is breaking records, have them invest back into our industry.
"Bbet came out on top of a very competitive field in the tender process for the sponsorship contract. When we asked for Expressions of Interest, we were delighted to have so many wagering partners participate, and ultimately to receive five written offers, clearly demonstrating the value sponsors place in racetrack assets."
Bbet is an Australian owned and operated sportsbook which was launched just under two years ago, by Sydney rails bookmaker Luke Behrmann.
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"Luke, our founder, has been on course for over 20 years in Sydney as a rails bookmaker and this online platform is coming up to two years' old," Bbet director Jeremy Turner said. "We want to grow quickly and we wanted to get involved in greyhound racing as well, particularly at the grass roots' level.
"When the opportunity arose at Wauchope and Taree, we were immediately keen to be involved. Given our size, we need to look at cost effective ways of marketing and getting exposure, and we believed this sponsorship was a perfect fit for Bbet.
"I have spoken with both clubs and understand how many people have worked so hard behind the scenes at each of these clubs over a long period of time. As such, as part of our deal, we will also sponsor a ($15,000) race series at both tracks each year, and the series will be named in honour of one of those people, who has helped keep the club going through tougher times. We are giving each club the option to name it after someone who I'm sure thoroughly deserves it."
Taree Greyhound Club achieved a major milestone back in June with the start of TAB racing, and president Des McGeachie says his club is ecstatic with this latest round of positive news for the club and region.
"We are over the moon about it. It was so good that we were able to get such a great deal with Bbet," McGeachie said.
"Our sponsors in the past have been great in supporting the club, and they would throw in a few hundred dollars here and there to sponsor races, and we would top it up. And that was fantastic.
"Volunteers, community support, and sponsors such as local businesses, they are the life blood of country racetracks and we truly appreciate every one of them, but it's also so good now to be able to get some real money in, and be able to do a few things around the club that we have been waiting a while to do."
