A LOCAL basketball club has received a boost, with the signing of a new major sponsor in the lead-up to the 2020/21 Riverland basketball season.
Waikerie Pharmacy and the Waikerie Warriors Basketball Club have joined forces as the club looks ahead to the upcoming season.
Waikerie Warriors Basketball Club secretary Hannah Lehmann said the club was excited to have a new major partner.
“We are very excited to have a new major sponsor that is such a big part of our town,” she said.
“We lost Caudo Vineyard last year, they were our major sponsor, but their three-year deal was up and they didn’t want to renew, so Nathan Lloyd, who manages the Waikerie Pharmacy, was willing to come on board for five years.
“It came about at the end of last season, but as that was just at the start of COVID, it has kind of been put on the backburner, but now things are starting to ramp up for the season, we wanted to thank him and acknowledge his support of our club.”
Lehmann said her club and others in the Riverland are planning as if the season will begin at its normal time, despite COVID-19 still effecting community sport in various ways across the state.
“As far as we are concerned here in the Riverland, we are continuing on as normal and our timeline hasn’t changed yet,” she said.
“I think most of the clubs in the Riverland are having their AGMs at the moment and we want to keep moving forward as if we are going to go ahead with the season as normal.”
The multiple division one women’s MVP winner is hopeful for a strong year for her club.
“It is hard to tell at the moment with numbers, but once we start having trials we will get a bit more of an idea,” Lehmann said.
“I think a lot of people will be keen to get out there after having a break from sport over winter, especially the girls that missed out on netball.
“Hopefully we will see some good numbers and have a strong season.”