We like to play an active role in supporting our local communities, so we’re delighted to have recently celebrated our first year of sponsorship with Saintfield United, a community football club in Saintfield, County Down, local to our Operations Centre in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Due to a lack of public football facilities in Saintfield, many of the senior and youth teams are forced to use public facilities outside the village. It has therefore been a long-term ambition of the Club to develop their own full-size soccer pitch within the village of Saintfield, which will be funded by donations and fundraising activities.
In 2018, Copart became a strategic partner and primary sponsor of the club and continues to support their ambitious growth plans as they seek to expand and provide an enhanced sports facility for the benefit of the wider Saintfield community.
The sponsorship agreement is a great way for us to demonstrate our support and engage with the local community; and with our Belfast Operations Centre approximately three miles away from the Club grounds, it also strengthens our presence in the local area.
Ricky McCaughran, General Manager at our Belfast facility, said: “We’re continuing to support and engage with the local community through our sponsorship agreement with Saintfield United and it’s great seeing the team wearing the Copart branded kit. We’re looking forward to being part of the club’s future and enjoying an ongoing strong and successful ongoing partnership.”
Our first year of sponsorship has certainly been an exciting one, as we’ve watched the club go from strength to strength. Earlier this year, Saintfield United enjoyed a winning streak which landed them on the front page of Match, the football pull-out section of the Northern Ireland Daily Mirror.
The article praised how far they had come as a club, noting that the last few seasons had seen marked progress, with the strides they have made accelerating under Saintfield United boss Adam Kelly’s stewardship. Seeing the boys enjoy this brilliant exposure in the newspaper, with our logo proudly emblazoned on their chests, has also been fantastic for strengthening Copart brand awareness in the local area.
And last month, for the second consecutive year, Ricky McCaughran and his family were invited to join Saintfield United at their annual mini-soccer awards BBQ event and give out some player awards.
Ricky said: “It was another great event with an even higher turn-out than last year and it was lovely to see people of all ages attending, throwing down a picnic blanket and enjoying a sunny evening. It’s fantastic to see the strong connection Saintfield United have within the community and Copart are very proud to be part of that.”
We’re delighted to have been part of Saintfield United’s journey so far and are looking forward to more exciting times ahead!
For all the latest Saintfield United news, go to http://www.saintfield-utd.co.uk/
Find out more about Copart at https://www.copart.co.uk