Wanneroo Rugby Club’s effort to revamp their ageing change room facilities has received a massive boost following the injection of more than $10,000 through the Bankwest and RugbyWA referral program.
Last week, Bankwest Head of Business Development, Stephen Dargan and Business Development Manager, Christine Hutchins attended the club’s training to present Wanneroo Rugby Club President Bill Watt with a cheque for $10,670.
The Bankwest and RugbyWA referral program sees local rugby clubs across the State benefit from any home or business loan contract that stems from the club. Cottesloe Rugby Club was named as the first beneficiary, having received a cheque for more than $12,000 in May.
Wanneroo Rugby Club was the benefactor of a loan taken out by club Vice Patron, Leon Davies for his property development company.
Mr Watt said he was still coming to terms with the Bankwest donation.
“Our proposed club house renovations will cost the club $250,000, so to get $10,000 like that is a terrific start,” he said.
“To get $10,000 we’ve got to work like hell and so this is a wonderful thing for us.
“This amount would equal our biggest sponsor. We’ve got a lot of wonderful people assisting this club – including Leon, who help us every year. We’re running a small business here. We’re turning over $500,000 and we have to run it in our spare time. It’s an onerous job but when things like this happen, that’s the reward.”
Mr Dargan said he was thrilled to present the club with the cheque and see how the organisation would benefit.
“This is part of Bankwest’s ongoing support of grassroots rugby in WA and the local community,” he said.
“The Bank values its partnership with sporting clubs across WA and we’re delighted to reward the Wanneroo Rugby Club with a cheque following their valuable referrals.
“A lot of the clubs have been struggling financially for a number of years. Clubs rely on sponsorship, bar and catering, and membership as sources of income but if one of those was to suffer the clubs are in severe difficulty. This is a way for us to help deal with that financial stress and give back to the community.”
The financial injection will significantly assist the clubhouse overhaul that will feature four change rooms, four sets of showers, a referees room and new physio room. Construction is expected to begin in January with completion expected in time for the 2013 Pindan Premier Grade season.
Bankwest has already donated more than $32,000 to local rugby clubs through the program since kicking off in May.
RugbyWA have partnered with Bankwest in this initiative with all commissions being funnelled through RugbyWA and then passed on in full on to the nominated club.
About Bankwest
Bankwest provides personal and business banking solutions for more than one million retail and business customers across Australia. Bankwest customers enjoy access to an extensive network of stores and business centres, direct and third party distribution channels, agencies and electronic banking facilities, as well as 24-hour telephone and internet banking. For two consecutive years, Bankwest has been chosen as the AFR Smart Investor Blue Ribbon Awards Bank of the Year 2010 & 2011. Bankwest is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Commonwealth Bank (Group).