Sydney Rangers leathered up

Sydney Rangers FC – Australia’s only gay soccer club – has entered into a historic sponsorship agreement with gay-owned and leading leather and fetish store, Eagle Leather.

Becoming one of the country’s most competitive soccer clubs, the Rangers are in a major growth phase and have been actively seeking sponsors to assist them to work towards their goal of hosting the World Gay Soccer Games 2011.

Rangers president Gavin Mears said the support of Eagle Leather – both financial and with donated products and services – would enhance the ability of the club to recruit and equip new players as well as enter local competitions.

“It’s terrific to see a gay adult business actively supporting the promotion of GLBT health and fitness through sport,” he said.

“Both partners come to the agreement with long and proud histories of service to the community. We see this association as a means of making more things possible for our club and its members as well as providing some back-up to our existing fundraising.”

As part of the agreement, Eagle Leather has contributed to the cost of new team uniforms, which will include the Eagle Leather logo on members’ shorts.

In return, Sydney Rangers will promote Eagle Leather to its members and visiting teams as a safe, friendly place to shop personally and online for their sexual health products.

Both organisations are keen to see gay soccer teams established in other Australian cities, and interest will be canvassed in Melbourne shortly with a view to getting some social soccer under way and laying the foundation for teams to be formed for the 2009 season.

Visit www.sydneyrangersfc.com.au or www.eagleleather.com.au.