Carlton & United Breweries today announced a major new initiative to help local sporting clubs across Australia save thousands of dollars every year.

Club Connect was developed with grassroots clubs and has won the backing of Australia’s major sporting codes, including the AFL and NRL.

It is a new online drinks store (www.clubconnect.net.au) that is available exclusively to licensed local clubs and aims to transform forever how they purchase drinks.

After registering, clubs log-in to Club Connect to place an order for everything from beer and wine to water, energy drinks and soft drink. The order is then delivered to the club at no additional charge.

However, Club Connect offers a game-changing rebate system that gives clubs cash back with every purchase – including $1 for a case of water, up to $3 for a case of beer and more for wine – acting as a new fundraiser for cash-strapped local clubs.

And to guarantee excellent value, Club Connect will use price monitoring software to ensure it competes on price with the cheapest major online retailers, saving clubs time and money. In addition, there’s no minimum spend, no joining fee and strict protocols to ensure only nominated adults can collect the order.

In recent years, local clubs have frequently told CUB about two major problems: reduced fundraising returns and antiquated ordering systems, which sees time wasted searching for the cheapest drinks.

Carlton & United Breweries’ Chief Executive Peter Filipovic said CUB’s long and proud history of supporting grassroots sports meant they wanted to help.

“After extensive consultation with local sports clubs, we think Club Connect is the best way to help solve some of the problems grassroots sports clubs face,” he said. “Sporting clubs are at the heart of local communities and drinks sales are critical to helping them raise badly-needed funds.

“Club Connect will transform how clubs buy drinks by saving them time and money, helping them fundraise and offering a great product range and convenience.’’

Club Connect is available only to local clubs with a liquor licence for the sale and on-premise consumption of alcohol. It is currently accessible by clubs within 150km of a capital city CBD but is expected to expand to every clubs across Australia by mid-year.

One of the first clubs to sign up was South Melbourne District Senior Football Club, which expects to save several thousand dollars every year.

“It is a game-changer for us,” said Club Vice President David Robertson. “The savings and rebates we get from Club Connect will be used to pay bills, keep membership fees down and reduce the amount of fundraising volunteers have to do. The initiative is tailored for community clubs run by volunteers and we are pleased to be part of it. It’s a terrific product to support community sports clubs.’’

AFL General Manager Game Development Andrew Dillon welcomed Club Connect.

“Footy clubs play such an important role in their local communities, not only for players, but for local families, volunteers and the broader community,’’ he said. “Anytime our partners can help support the grassroots they have the AFL’s backing, and this initiative is another one in CUB’s long history of supporting local football clubs.”

NRL Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Abdo said rugby league supported the growth of grassroots clubs and this CUB initiative can only help the future of all local football communities.

“CUB’s new Club Connect initiative enables clubs to be rewarded in ways that will assist with improved club facilities and experiences for players and volunteers,” he said.

Clubs can register at www.clubconnect.net.au

For more information contact HeadlinePR:
Simon Pristel simon@headlinepr.com.au 0412 393 433