Select Brands Limited, the island’s premier distributor of wines, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages, has officially announced a five-year sponsorship of the Waterhouse Football Club, valued at $45 million. The company shared that the sponsorship is geared towards investing in their local community through the power of sport.

Over the five-year period of the sponsorship, Select Brands will provide support for the club in cash and kind, with special attention to be paid to improving the experience available to fans of the club. The sponsorship will also aid in developing the club’s infrastructure and strengthening its ties with the community. Key initiatives include stadium upgrades and funding for community events, and all are aimed at also fostering youth development and creating new opportunities within the community.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday at the Waterhouse Mini Stadium in the community, co-managing director of Select Brands David McConnell described the sponsorship as a logical next step for his company.

“Why Waterhouse? It is your legacy of winning, your strong leadership, your great team, and unity,” said McConnell. “Many of your values are [values] that our company maintains; unity, strength, respect, and discipline.”

With Select Brands neighbouring the Waterhouse community, and the company boasting a number of employees from the neighbourhood, McConnell explained that it was an important investment into football as an “outlet” and a professional pathway for the residents, especially at this time when the company is growing and actively trying to expand its positive community impact.

Meanwhile, Waterhouse Football Club President Donovan White referred to the sponsorship as the club’s newest partnership on their storied journey of success.

Pointing to the club’s 37-year participation in the Premier League, successes in reaching the play-offs, participation in Concacaf Club Championships as well as the club’s track record over the years of helping to elevate their young community players such as Romain Blake and others who have gone on to play for other international teams, he said, “We’re not a small club. We may look small. We may even feel small, but Waterhouse is a big club and a well-respected club in every respect and in many places.”

White also applauded the company for partnering with the club as he reiterated the club motto, “Unity is Strength”.

“Most importantly, I want to ask our fans and our supporters to use this moment, a very seminal moment in our history, to re-engage. Let’s go again. It’s time to refresh. It’s time to find new energies. It’s time to raise Waterhouse Football Club to a whole new level and that’s what we’re about,” said White.

Meanwhile, Waterhouse captain Kemar Foster, who also spoke during the press conference, stated, “We are honoured to have you with us this season and beyond. We are dedicated to ensuring that this partnership is mutually beneficial for both of us. Your sponsorship is more than just financial support. It provides our team with added resources necessary to elevate the team performance, improve our facility and boost morale.”