Nottingham saved by new Sponsorship deal

Nottingham pro squash team saved by new sponsorship deal

SH_2699A group of local businesses, led by leading Nottingham IT provider, Air-IT, have stepped in to enable Nottingham Squash Rackets Club (NSRC) to secure a professional team to play in the national Premier Squash League (PSL) this season.

And the new sponsors are already seeing a return on their investment, as the newly-named Air-IT Nottingham team triumphed in their first home match of the 2013/14 season on Tuesday 22 October – seeing off PSL newcomers Coolhurst London 3-2.

Air-IT steps in to save the day

Tim Garratt, Sam Pinkam, Todd McQuilkin
Tim Garratt, Sam Pinkham, Todd McQuilkin

The future of Nottingham’s pro squash team had been placed in jeopardy some months before and NSRC, based in The Park, Nottingham, had been urgently seeking new sponsors for the forthcoming season. Happily, Club Chairman Tim Garratt was able to forge a ‘very generous’ new deal with lead sponsor Air-IT – allowing a team of Nottingham pros to continue playing in the PSL.

Commenting on the new deal, Tim said: ‘Finding new sponsorship was a big challenge and I’m delighted we’ve done it. In fact, we’ve done it and then some, as we’ve actually raised more money than last year! It’s great news for the Club and for local squash.’

Air-IT is joined by a raft of co-sponsors including fellow shirt sponsors Fantasy Squash, Press Association Images, Innes England and Gleeds – all of whom also have links with the Nottingham area. And that’s something that really strikes a chord with Air-IT Nottingham’s Manager, Mark Fuller, himself a professional squash player and owner of Fantasy Squash.

My chosen team strikes a unique note in the PSL as it consists almost entirely of home-grown, Nottingham-based talent,’ explains Mark. ‘The squad includes a female England International player and the British Under 17 Champion. It’s a young local team that’s grown up together – and it’s a team that’s been built for the future!

Air-IT Nottingham-Coolhurst Team photoLocal businesses supporting local sports

Air-IT’s Managing Director, Todd McQuilkin, adds: ‘This really is a case of Nottingham-oriented organisations supporting their local pro squash team. And it makes me hugely proud that this fantastic team are sporting the Air-IT logo on their shirts as they take to the courts this season. Squash is a sport that’s very close to my heart and to the hearts of many at Air-IT – that’s why it felt like such a natural move to sponsor the team when the opportunity arose.’

As well as sponsoring the team’s brand new kit – designed in Air-IT’s distinctive black and orange colours and featuring their logo and the logos of the other four shirt sponsors – the new deal will see Air-IT displaying a range of banner, on-court and in-programme advertising at NSRC during each of the 2013/14 season’s five home matches.

A fantastic start to the season

beddoes-v-selby2Air-IT Nottingham’s 2013/14 season debut bodes well for the future after Coolhurst London were despatched 3-2 in a series of five gripping matches at NSRC on Tuesday 22 October. The evening began with a special reception for sponsors and their guests, where local business people mingled with players, supporters and sponsors before taking their courtside seats.

beddoes-v-selbyGem AM Breakfast Show host and MC for the evening, Sam Pinkham, then announced the players for both teams and Air-IT Nottingham arrived on court sporting their brand new kits. After the match, there were more opportunities for informal networking in the bar and lounge before players and supporters headed home for a well-earned rest.

It was a truly enjoyable evening for everyone concerned – and a fitting way to launch the new sponsorship deal for Air-IT Nottingham,’ says Todd. ‘I’m already looking forward to the next home match on 19 November, where our guys will be taking on the University of Birmingham pro squash team.’

For more information about Air-IT and NSRC, please visit www.air-it.co.uk and www.nsrc.co.uk

Photo 2 - Air-IT Nottingham Team vrs Coolhurst