Charlotte Varcoe
MOUNT Gambier/Berrin’s iconic basketball team the Pioneers have welcomed a new sponsor.
Leader of the Opposition David Speirs announced he and Shadow Assistant Minister for Regional Development Ben Hood will have a sign acknowledging their sponsorship of the Pioneers at the Wulanda Recreation Centre during home games.
Speaking during his three-day visit to the Limestone Coast, Mr Speirs said the recreation centre was not only home to the Pioneers but was giving a future to swimming in the region.
“I have consistently congratulated those who called the vision for this place forward over the last few years because without their tenacity and belief in the vision it would not be here today and the Pioneers would still be shivering in the Ice House,” Mr Speirs said.
“I am going to come on board as a sponsor and provide support to the Pioneers.”
He said the facility was a “great place to play” and was also a great backing of not just the Pioneers but also Mount Gambier/Berrin as a whole.
“There is a lot of talk about sports in Adelaide, we talk about the AFL Gather Round and bringing big international teams to Adelaide but it is important to pay attention to regional sport and grassroot sport because without regional or grassroot community sport you would not have big professional teams which can visit Adelaide,” Mr Speirs said.
“This is also about supporting community sport because it often gets overlooked.”
He said should he become Premier of South Australia in 2026, grassroot community and regional sport would be “at the heart” of his manifesto.
Mount Gambier Pioneers board member and life member Michael Kosch said the club welcomed Mr Speirs and Mr Hood’s sponsorship.
“Mr Hood is very closely involved in the club and has been a supporter and sponsor for a long time,” Mr Kosch said.
“The new facility has been an unbelievable game changer for the Pioneers and it has been a big time for growth.
“We are still growing into the recreation centre but it puts the Pioneers in a very strong position for the future as we continue to grow with the outstanding success of our female team.”
Mr Kosch said the current season was going well for both Pioneers teams both interstate and intrastate.
“The club is continuing to grow and support is growing and growing,” he said.
“Wulanda has given us a good leverage and it has been a massive game changer for the Pioneers and has taken us to the next level which has been a wonderful thing for us.”
Mr Kosch said he believed Mount Gambier/Berrin had the best facility in the league, comparing it to the other 19 teams they competed against.
“We used to go into facilities in Geelong and Bendigo and think how good their facilities are but now they are second to none,” he said.
Mr Hood said when deciding to sponsor the local team there was “no second guessing” the answer would be yes.
“We want to back outreach communities and ensure our regional sporting facilities and sporting teams are supported as best they possibly can,” Mr Hood said.
“We want to grow our region and ensure we have the best of what we have to offer in the regions just like our metropolitan cousins.
“I have been a huge supporter of the Pioneers and for many years I have been a corporate sponsor myself in my own business so to be able to partner with David and bring the Liberal brand onboard as a sponsor really warms my heart because I am a local.”
