Jerry Schwartz aims to revive Sydney 2000 spirit with partnership of Australian Volleyball.
The Schwartz Family Company has announced it will become a major sponsor of Volleyball Australia.
The announcement:
Tourism and hospitality entrepreneur, Dr Jerry Schwartz, announced today that the Schwartz Family Company would become a major sponsor of Volleyball Australia as the sport attempts to revive the highs achieved during the 2000 Olympics.
The sponsorship was announced today at Parliament House, with NSW Premier Mike Baird welcoming Dr Schwartz’s support for the sport as it gears up to challenge for gold in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Dr Schwartz, who is Australia’s largest private owner of hotels in Australia, is already a major sporting supporter, keen philanthropist and supporter of charities across the State.
The sponsorship will cover all aspects of volleyball – indoor and beach volleyball, women’s, men’s and junior. He joins other major partners of the sport including Mrs Gina Rinehart and Bendon Lingerie manufacturer, Eric Watson.
“Who can forget the impact our women’s beach volleyball team made to the success of Sydney’s Olympic Games in 2000?” said Dr Schwartz.
“The tournament captured everything that is good about Sydney and as we head down the road to Rio, we need to recapture that spirit and vitality. A successful competition on the sand in Rio will be an enormous advertisement for Australia’s beach and sporting culture.
“Our beach volleyball team is ranked in the top 5 in the world, and with extra resources we can get back to our gold status.
“In particular, this support will boost women’s sport. So much sporting investment favours traditionally male sports, whereas volleyball has a strong focus on women and girls, and they deserve greater support.”
Volleyball Australia President, Craig Carracher, said the generous support of the Schwartz Family Company comes at an exciting time for the sport in Australia.
“Our beach teams, and our women in particular, are currently among the best in the world, while our men’s indoor team is on the verge of an exciting Rio qualifying campaign,” Mr Carracher said.
“Our women’s indoor program has been re-launched after years of little government funding, and we have some of the biggest junior sports programs in Australia.
“None of this is possible without the support of people like Dr Jerry Schwartz. It is fantastic to have someone with his vision and generosity on board.”
Volleyball Australia Chief Commercial Officer, Rod Harys, said Australian businesses were recognising what the sport has to offer.
“Volleyball is the most gender equal sport in the world, it is one of the most popular sports in the world, and whether it is indoor or beach, it is a thrilling sport to watch,” Mr Harys said.
“Having the support of sponsors of the calibre of the Schwartz Family Company, Mrs Gina Rinehart and Bendon, and the recent signing of Three Threes Condiments, Mightymite, Hope Estate Wines, Sunland, Mitronics and Sails Restaurant Group underlines that this is a sport going forward.
“And that will be further exemplified on the sand of Copacabana Beach and in a Maracana stadium next year. It is an exciting time for beach and indoor volleyball.”
Source: Volleyball Australia media release
