While we have been involved in athletics sponsorship for many years, we love to get involved at a local level, too. Our retailers across the UK continue to support a host of local sporting events. Here are just a few…
On your marks…
Always at the heart of the local community, SPAR retailers across Northern Ireland sponsored their local primary schools’ sports days last summer. Retailers provided their local schools with professional SPAR sports banners and refreshments for the thirsty participants.
‘Hall’ing them into action
James Hall & Co, our SPAR distributor in the North, once more gave its support to young athletes by sponsoring the Lancashire Youth Games, which is designed to encourage participation in sport and physical activity in the county. Thousands of children aged from four to sixteen from the 14 Lancashire boroughs took part, with over 1,000 turning up for the finals. SPAR refreshments and sandwiches were provided for the competitors. James Hall & Co is also involved at a local level with the borough competitions that are held throughout the year across the county and from which the representative teams are selected.
Best foot forward
Our distributor in the south-west, Appleby Westward, sponsored the Marathon of Britain Coast Run, which included one of its employees, Jason French (pictured), a seasoned endurance runner, among the 50 competitors. The marathon is 105 miles long and lasts three days. John Wood, Media Manager for Appleby Westward, said: “We were delighted Jason did so well in our inaugural race. SPAR has been involved in athletics sponsorship for many years and we promote healthy lifestyles through encouraging our stores to sell local produce.”
She shoots, she scores!
SPAR was the proud sponsor of Netball Northern Ireland, and Sarah Bell (pictured with coach Denise Prue and captain Bronagh Loughran) of Henderson Group (our Northern Ireland distributor) was pleased to present the team with new kits. SPAR is committed to supporting local athletes and actively helps young sports stars develop their abilities through a series of local, national and international sponsorships.
Ball play
A kids’ football competition organised for pupils across the Black Country by SPAR has been a great success. Staff from A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd, SPAR’s distributor for North Wales, the Midlands and Eastern England, organised the SPAR Junior Football Challenge and refereed the competition as well as providing healthy snacks and refreshments throughout the day. Pupils from Hillary, Alumwell, Old Church, Salisbury and Pinfold schools, in Walsall, and Moorcroft Wood School in Wolverhampton, took part in the football tournament at Goals Soccer Centre, Darlaston.
Running and riding for Arthritis Research
Brian Cosgrove, who runs the SPAR store in Bessbrook, Northern Ireland, took on the gruelling challenge of the Bessbrook Duathlon recently in order to raise funds for Arthritis Research. Brian completed two 2.3-mile runs and a 9.3-mile cycle as part of the Duathlon and raised over £150 for his chosen charity: “Taking on the Duathlon was most definitely a challenge, but was well worth it, given the money that we raised for Arthritis Research. As a locally owned business we are proud to support charities and get involved with community events so this was a great opportunity to do just that. It was also a great excuse to get active!”