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GM HOLDEN’S $5 million commitment to junior sport in Australia bubbled to the surface with key exposure during this week’s State of Origin rugby league match.

Its Home Ground Advantage program, that kicked off in 2014 to aid grassroots sports around the country, this week took to the State of Origin rugby league field as two junior teams played on the big stage at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium.Holden_junior_league_lower

The Under 9s Clermont Bears, from the central Queensland mining town of Clermont, and the Dungog Warriors, from the picturesque NSW town of Dungog, went head-to-head in the inaugural Holden Junior State of Origin as a fun curtain raiser to one of the biggest Rugby League events on the Australian sporting calendar, the Holden State of Origin Game 1.

 

The match was part of Holden’s community-based program and included an association with the National Rugby League (NRL) in Sydney.Holden_junior_league_lower_5

However, Holden’s program covers a broad spectrum of sporting disciplines, from rugby to football and little athletics to golf.

The sponsorship commits Holden to donate $500,000 each year for 10 years – ending in 2024 – to allow clubs to buy sporting equipment and to invest in the development of its players. It is supported by Holden’s 230 dealers.Holden_junior_league_lower_2Holden senior manager of product communications Liz Whiteway said the funding comes directly from Holden and is not reallocated from other sponsorships. Holden’s manufacturing plant in Adelaide, for example, retains its sponsorship of the Adelaide Central Districts football club.

Recent recipients include the Tilligerry Districts Little Athletics Centre in Mallabula, NSW, that, last year, was given $100,000 in a cheque presented by Commonwealth Games gold medallist Tamsyn Lewis Manou.

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Holden chairman and managing director Mark Bernhard said the centre typified the program’s purpose.

 

“The program is for clubs like this that are in desperate need of funding for facilities,” he said.

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“It’s really hard in local communities around Australia to get funding and this is a chance for us to give something back.”

Tilligerry Districts will use the funds for new storage facilities, a resurfaced long jump area, covers for the pits and replacement of equipment including hurdles that are 30 years old.

Holden accepts and encourages applications from any grass roots sporting club with online application on www.holden.com.au/homegroundadvantage

By Neil Dowling

 

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