THE Bendigo Spirit will enter the 2020-21 WNBL season with a new major sponsor after inking a naming rights deal with developer Villawood Properties.
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With hopes flickering the season can get underway by its advertised November starting date, Villawood has agreed to a two-year deal as the Spirit's main backer.
The agreement will further extend to sponsorship of the city's men's and women's Braves NBL1 teams.
Unveiling the new sponsorship on Friday at Bendigo Stadium, Villawood executive director Rory Costelloe said the developer was pleased to be part of a national-tier Bendigo sporting team.
"Bendigo Spirit is a great team and a great ambassador for Bendigo. We're very proud to be part of a presence that's true to its country roots while playing a key role on the national stage," he said.
"Villawood has always valued the Bendigo community. We started here and we're particularly happy to be able to support an elite Bendigo team, especially an elite women's team.
"It's a very exciting time for women's basketball in Australia right now - and will be even moreso if the Tokyo Olympics go ahead with so many eyes already on us."
Costelloe said he hoped the Braves' component would further assist the ongoing development of Bendigo's up and coming basketballers while helping underpin an important regional sporting organisation.
Bendigo Spirit is a great team and a great ambassador for Bendigo.
- Rory Costelloe
Bendigo Stadium Limited CEO Nathan O'Neill expressed excitement about the new agreement and said 'the shared values between our two organisations is the best part of all'.
"It's no secret that Villawood Properties is a leader in the development of communities and Bendigo Spirit has long been a leader, not only in Bendigo, but in communities right throughout regional Victoria," he said.
"We have the determination to be leaders both on and off the floor, and Villawood Properties commitment over the next two years plays a significant role in achieving this."
"All signs are pointing towards a November start date for the WNBL season, with final details regarding the format expected in the coming days."
Villawood Properties started operations in Bendigo in 1989.
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