Harrogate’s sporting scene offers a wealth of opportunities for local businesses to engage with the community, enhance their brand visibility, and contribute to the town’s social fabric. From grassroots initiatives to professional clubs, the avenues for involvement are diverse and impactful.
Sponsorship Opportunities
For businesses looking to deepen their roots in Harrogate, aligning with local sport can be a smart move. With fixtures in football, hockey, and even rugby this weekend attracting enthusiastic spectators, there are plenty of chances to get your name seen while showing genuine community support.
Harrogate Town AFC, competing in League Two, presents various sponsorship packages, including stadium naming rights, matchday celebrations, and player development programmes. For instance, Exercise, a local fitness equipment company, became the stadium sponsor, reflecting a commitment to community health and well-being.
Similarly, Harrogate College sponsors the club’s Player Development Centre, emphasising youth development and education. Harrogate Hockey Club, one of Yorkshire’s largest, offers sponsorships for both junior and senior teams. Sponsors benefit from extensive local media exposure and engagement with a membership base of around 700 individuals.
Community Foundations and Initiatives
The Sporting Influence Foundation, a Harrogate-based Community Interest Company, focuses on improving children’s physical and mental well-being through sport. They offer programmes like first aid workshops and active holiday camps, often in partnership with local businesses and organisations.
North Yorkshire Sport serves as the county’s strategic sporting lead, bringing together stakeholders to promote participation across all ages. They provide avenues for businesses to support volunteer opportunities, coaching, and administrative roles within the sporting community.
Benefits of Business Involvement
Engaging with local sports offers businesses:
- Enhanced Brand Visibility: Aligning with popular local teams and events increases brand recognition within the community.
- Community Engagement: Supporting sports initiatives demonstrates corporate social responsibility and builds goodwill.
- Networking Opportunities: Collaborations with sports clubs and foundations open doors to new partnerships and customer bases.
- Employee Well-being: Involvement in sports can boost staff morale and promote a healthy workplace culture.
Getting Involved
Businesses interested in supporting local sports can explore opportunities through:
- Harrogate Town AFC: Offering various sponsorship packages.
- Harrogate Hockey Club: Providing sponsorship options for teams and events.
- Sporting Influence Foundation: Seeking partnerships to support youth programmes.
- North Yorkshire Sport: Connecting businesses with volunteer and sponsorship opportunities.
By investing in local sports, businesses not only contribute to the community’s health and wellbeing but also position themselves as integral parts of Harrogate’s community.
