SINCERE FLATTERY: The Gold Coast Titans are emulating a community sponsorship program introduced locally by Wagga Mutual Credit Union five years ago.Photo:

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THE community sponsorship program introduced locally by Wagga Mutual Credit Union five years ago has been taken up by National Rugby League club Gold Coast Titans.

Earlier this year, the Titans played a pre-season trial at the international sports stadium at Coffs Harbour, where one of the ground sponsors was Banana Coast Credit Union.
During the visit, the Titans expressed interest in the virtues of raising and providing finance through sponsorship for community groups.
One of these was the incentive of receiving an extra 1 per cent interest for every dollar invested, together with the guaranteed investment rate.
WMCU chief executive-managing director Glenn Elliot said yesterday he understood that junior rugby league would be the specific beneficiaries of the Titans’ community sponsorship account.
Mr Elliot recalled yesterday how this form of sponsorship had grown for its humble origins with Birmingham-based English soccer club West Bromwich Albion in 1995.
Launched locally in 2002, the rewards achieved and the premiership successes enjoyed by Riverina Football League club Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong was the catalyst for rapid across-the-board expansion in Wagga and surrounding districts.
This year 140 recipients received grants totalling $150,000, taking the overall total of nearly $500,000.
Meanwhile, former Wagga Mayor John Harding will be formally confirmed as WMCU chairman and Coolamon Shire Council general manager Terrey Kiss as chairman of the key audit and risk committee at the final board
meeting for 2007 next Thursday night.