Sports Magic boosts business

WORDS: Suzanne Simonot PHOTOGRAPHY Brian Usher - www.usherusher.com

From its Match Day Series to its popular race and golf days, The Magic Group in Business is helping local businesses kick goals and expand their networks on and off the field.

DESIGNED to formally connect the business community, cultivate relationships and facilitate real leads and opportunities, The Magic Group in Business (MGIB) offers a unique platform to local businesses.

A chance for business to generate new opportunities while networking with like-minded people, MGIB encourages philanthropic support to assist with facilities development and at times, provide fee-free football to players who need it the most.

With more than 80 businesses currently engaged in the program, members can choose which projects they wish to support.

Membership benefits include:

– invitations to each of the 13 home games in the NPL – GC Knights FC and 10-11 home games in the QPL 2 – Magic United

– Business logo displayed at each game

– Entry into the VIP Lounge for all home games

Exclusive to MGIB members, the popular Match Day Series gives members the chance to hear from guest speakers and connect with like-minded business owners, decision-makers and leaders at every home game.

Other highlights include the annual invitation golf day and optional opportunities to attend events or host an event at your business premises.

The MGIB Match Day Series has proven a great initiative for Gold Coast Print.

“It has been great to connect with like-minded people from businesses of all kinds where we have been able to establish connections, share our business thoughts and of course, get a chance to watch some great football being played,” co-owner Bek Spink says.

She says the race day was another fantastic event that gave the GC Print team a chance to let their hair down, back a few winners and ‘unfortunately, a few losers’.

“A great day was had by all and we are looking forward to the golf day.”

Dr Franck Page’s Coastal Dental Care has been a proud sponsor of grassroots football on the Gold Coast through The Magic Group for more than seven years.

Dr Page says he has watched football grow in popularity and stature significantly during that time, with the expansion of The Magic Group mirroring this.

“Personally, my association with Magic began 16 years ago as a ‘football parent’ and culminated in me becoming the Vice and eventual President of Magic United Football Club for five of those years,” he says.

“Recently as my children have begun to move away from home to follow their studies at Uni in Brisbane, I have attended matches as a ‘fan’ and avid member of the MGIB series. I have had the opportunity to not only present to the group but participate in other presentations from a diverse group of business leaders on the Coast. This has led to mutually beneficial business relationships with the various members of the group which continue to flourish to this day.”

Another avid supporter of The Magic Group on and off the field, Wood Marble & White’s Louise Ward, says The MGIB race day was an awesome event.

“As always this was a great networking event, but with a relaxed and inclusive vibe,” she says. “We always love attending their events as we have the opportunity to catch up with some great friends we have met along the Magic way.”

MGIB members also benefit from personal introductions to Magic Group affiliates to generate new opportunities and add value to their business. Industry-based, facilitated Needs & Leads Sessions, at the start of each season, focus on generating quality introductions and referring leads.

MGIB individual and company memberships include access to the VIP room for all home games (NPL & QPL 2), the opportunity to attend The Magic Group social calendar and VIP offerings. Company membership also covers game sponsorship and hospitality. Magic can also rename the bar in honour of your company for the sponsored game.

MGIB members also receive VIP access to events on the Magic Group social calendar including Yot Club, Mecca Bah, the Gold Coast Turf Club, Melbourne Cup at the Knights and the Ambrose Golf Day.

More than 100 business professionals have attended MGIB events

“The social calendar aims to raise funds for club projects and allow members to socialise away from the club,” The Magic Group general manager Andrew Robinson says.

AusTech Connect’s Ken Lee, a guest speaker at an MGIB event before one of the Knights’ home games, says the event allowed him to combine business with pleasure.

“It was a wonderful experience, with many great people and business leaders in the room,” he says. “After our presentation, we were able to not only widen our network but also win some work from some of those amazing businesses.”

David Campbell, from Waters Edge Group, his wife Michelle and their sons Jack and Liam have been involved with the GC Knights and Magic United FC for three years.

“We have been involved as sponsors and members of the Magic Group, which has brought us many positive moments with like-minded families and sponsors,” David says.

“Whilst we are involved with Knights and Magic we will always be involved with the Magic Group, which is a positive forum that involves everyone.”

Sponsoring The Magic Group has become a key part of Hungry Jacks operator Josh Harrington’s internal marketing strategy to keep in touch with the local community.

“The benefits have been numerous in not only meeting fellow business owners with their own unique skill sets but you also get to meet parents and families of the local communities,” he says. “To date, I’ve met some interesting people with similar interests and businesses that can help to further facilitate my interests and this was the last place I thought this would happen.

“It’s also great to see the acknowledgement that The Magic Group give back to their sponsors as they understand the importance of ground roots sponsorship from within the community. The facilities are great, the thanks they provide is fantastic and of course, it’s great to get out and watch the games being played.

“The best thing is seeing the weekly winners come through and getting rewarded for their efforts from the week before. (There’s) nothing better than seeing the kids smile and understanding that if you put the effort in, the rewards are there too.

“If you’re in any doubt as to whether or not this is an opportunity for your business, then ask yourself what can my business gain from actually participating in this sponsorship? We are on board again, that’s for sure.”

Visit www.magicunited.com.au for details