Guild gives sports teams a helping hand

10th Nov 2009

The Guild of Students venue team have come up with a clever idea to help university sports teams sidestep the recession. A trial initiative has been launched this year that sees sports clubs generate funds through going on a night out on Wednesday nights.

The initiative has come about after many sports teams approached the Guild with sponsorship proposals at the beginning of the academic year. Due to the downturn in the economic climate, the Guild were unable to sponsor all teams. A decision was therefore taken to find a way of supporting all Guild/University of Birmingham affiliated sports teams.

On the back of this, the venue’s team launched the initiative whereby profit on the tickets sold for the traditional Wednesday sport nights would go straight back into the sports clubs. The event, which ends up at the Risa nightclub on Broad Street, is priced exactly the same as in previous years, the difference being that clubs receive £2 of every ticket sold.

All clubs are offered the same financial deal and are given the opportunity to generate further funds by pushing and promoting their social events. This gives them the opportunity to raise funds to spend on equipment, travel or to subsidise membership and it also has the mutual benefit of supporting Guild of Students run events.

Chris Whitt, one of the University of Birmingham korfball club’s fundraising representatives, applauded the initiative. ‘This scheme is really helpful to smaller clubs like us. In the past few years, we have struggled to find a sponsor despite being one of the top korfball teams in the UK and having won the Nationals in Sheffield in March. Although we remain without a sponsor and on the look out for one, the Guild’s initiative gives us a bit of financial assistance whilst giving us reason to come together as a club.’

Katie Ford, the Vice President Sport, spoke about how the initiative relieves clubs of the need to find sponsors. ‘This initiative enables all clubs to generate additional funds and encourages fundraising outside sponsorship. This deal is far superior to any deal offered by any other venue or event promoter in the city and ensures the clubs get both a fair deal and recognition for their support. We hope more clubs become aware of this deal and will utilise the fantastic opportunity on offer.’