Why we’re fans of the BBL

Our Managing Director Paul Northmore tells of Manning and Company's sponsorship journey with Plymouth Raiders.

Sunday's supposedly a day of rest and sometimes it's a struggle to get off the sofa after a bike ride, but once I set foot inside the Plymouth Pavilions for a Raiders' basketball game the unique atmosphere transforms the venue.

We started to sponsor the Plymouth Raiders 8 years ago. It would be easy to say what our reasons are.... We like the branded match day board or the advert in the programme (and of course that is all very nice). But being a sponsor of the Raiders continues to give Manning and Company, and me as a director, much more than that.

Family-orientated

At Manning and Company we are proud to support a sport in the city which is family orientated, where players are good role models and where we can experience the good work of the club within the wider community.

It is an opportunity to get together with other sponsors, many who have become friends, but it's not only the sponsors who we have become better acquainted with over the years, Raiders' staff also consider us within their inner circle too.

The intimacy of the venue makes you feel you're part of the extended team. In such a close knit venue the passion of the players and their energy for the game is clear.

Benefitting the community

The work of the Raiders goes far beyond 'just sport'. It’s a game changer in more ways than one.

When not on the court the players invest their time to visit local schools and take part in numerous events within the community.

Hoops 4 Health, their flagship scheme, centres around promoting the importance of healthy diet and physical activity, along with the harm that smoking and substance abuse can have on a person’s life. It is delivered by the Raiders’ professional players to primary schools around the region, focusing on Years 5 and 6. Along with a roadshow, each school is also given free basketball coaching and an invitation to participate in a tournament to determine the winner for the area.

In addition the players help pupils struggling with numeracy and literacy. The club has devised its own workbook, in association with a local educational consultant and former head teacher. Raiders' players are used as positive role models in the classroom to deliver the scheme which has had had great feedback.

As well as this the club also runs mentoring sessions and basketball coaching in schools.

Support from our sponsored player

In turn for our sponsorship the Raiders' players support us. Whether we are raising money for charity or hosting an event, our sponsored player, who this season is Daryl Corletto, is happy to help and attend.

A good fit with our values

It’s these values of family and community that appealed so strongly to Manning and Company when we decided to become sponsors of Plymouth Raiders, and it’s why we’ve remained as sponsors and supporters for so long.

We believe in being there for our clients every step of the way, and in many cases we have helped several generations of the same family with financial planning for their future.

Helping people to make good choices that will give them a positive life they can live to the full is what we’re all about – and that’s what Raiders is about too. And that’s why we’re supporting them, in more ways than one.