ABERDEEN TIGERS SET FOR A GREAT SEASON WITH THE SUPPORT OF THEIR SPONSORS

Sport is a part of the Australian DNA, especially in regional communities. The importance of community sport can be seen in each player, the supporters who never miss a game, parents doing drop offs, and the volunteers who paint lines and flip burgers. Let's also not forget the Monday morning debrief with colleagues and the all-important freddo frogs for fundraising. 

Sport brings people and communities together, and with our Stronger Together value in mind, Schlam is no stranger to sponsoring sporting clubs and rallying behind our valued employees in the process. 

Located in the Hunter Valley region of NSW, the Aberdeen Tigers Rugby League Football Club is one of the sporting clubs we proudly support.

The Hunter Valley is a major coal producing region in Australia, where we supply leading mining companies operating in the region, with Hercules truck bodies and Barracuda buckets. Our local team provides technical support to our customers, many of which are also involved in the all-important local rugby community. 

Two of Schlam's employees have been a part of the Aberdeen Tigers from a young age. Daniel is a local junior and life member, coming up to his 16th year of seniors and 250 senior games. Grant has played with the tigers since under 10's, through juniors, and breaking into first grade seniors at 17 years old.

Both Daniel and Grant are key members of the club, actively involved in sourcing sponsorships and taking on senior voluntary roles, in addition to their own busy training schedules. 

'I have Captain-Coached the first grade for 6 seasons, winning 1 premiership in 2017. I've also been a member of the executive and general committee for the last 10 years,' Daniel said.

'I was previously on the committee up until 2022, in the role of Junior Vice President,' Grant added.

Gaining funding can be tricky for any club, especially clubs located in remote locations. Aberdeen has the smallest town population out of all six first grade clubs in the competition but has been one of the most successful over a long period of time. 

The Aberdeen Tigers' success is largely due to the dedication shown by each of the players and coaches, but not possible without the support from their sponsors. 

'Sponsorships is what keeps the club running,' said Daniel. 'Without generous donations from businesses in the community, the club wouldn't be what it is today.' 

Sponsorships allow clubs to action important projects, improving the overall experience both players and spectators receive when attending games. 

Aberdeen's most recent project at McKinnon Oval is the western retaining wall and concrete path, spanning a length of over 100m. The path connects the dressing sheds, the canteen and far end of the oval. Previously this was a grass hill, which in the winter months, would become unsafe after rain. Now, it's an accessible path for all spectators, including wheelchair users and elderly patrons. 

'We have recently been updating the canteen, adding new industrial fridges and appliances,' said Daniel. 'This will hopefully assist in improving the range and offerings of food spectators can purchase at home games, as well as the food put on for the players during their break.' 

'Not only that, but we have recently installed a new digital scoreboard, improving visibility and overall enjoyment for spectators during the game,' Grant said. 

Any contribution makes a real difference - regardless of the size - on both the physical and mental health of the players. Sponsorship support empowers clubs to provide a solid foundation for the players to be active, to follow their dreams, participate in a sport they love and play an active role in their community. 

This is Schlam's second season of sponsoring the Aberdeen Tigers, and certainly not the last, as we aim to continue our relationships with the club for many years to come.

We wish you all the best for the upcoming season - Go Tigers!