It is one of the longest unbroken sponsorship relationships in Australian sport and it will continue into its 40th year.
St George Illawarra have announced that St George Bank has extended its naming rights partnership with the club until the end of 2019.
St George Bank general manager Ross Miller was at the bank’s Kogarah branch to make the announcement on Tuesday afternoon alongside Dragons CEO Peter Doust, coach Paul McGregor and players Jack de Belin, Jacob Host, Euan Aitken and Hame Sele.
St George Bank have adorned the front of the Dragons’ jerseys since 2004 and Miller said he was delighted with the continuation of the partnership.
“This partnership marks 40 years roaring with the St George Illawarra Dragons and we’re proud to back the club and the support it provides to communities and families who love their footy,” he said.
“Looking back at the long and proud association we have with the club, the story of our bank and footy in the St George and the Illawarra go hand in hand.
“Having the Dragons as our local footy team is what inspired us to use a dragon as our icon back in 1970. Fast forward four decades later and our partnership now includes the Little Dragons program which sees almost 6500 kids from over 35 clubs take part in the sport.
“We’ve also been working closely with the Dragons to launch a number of initiatives in 2018 to make it easier to enjoy the sport at a community level.”
Doust said the Dragons were proud of the ongoing partnership.
“Our partnership with St George has been an enduring influence on rugby league across our region and we’re delighted that this relationship continues to grow,” he said.
“This remains a significant partnership for us and the code and demonstrates that such mutually beneficial relationships can be valuable and long-lasting particularly when they involve shared values of community, family, passion and spirit.”
St George Illawarra start their 2018 NRL campaign when they host Brisbane at Jubilee Oval, Kogarah on March 8.