In an industry where cost cutting is the latest craze, brands are slashing budgets and some of the world’s best are sweating on contract renewals, the last thing I expected to pop up on my feed was a business ad looking for a new team rider.
But this wasn’t from a surf, skate, or retail brand. It came from realty firm Upstate — a company looking to invest in a different kind of real estate by supporting the next generation of surfers on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
The company currently sponsors 16-year-old goofy footer Rene Galloway, up and coming snowboarder Vaughn Hardwick and has previously backed rising star Milla Coco Brown. Upstate director Peter Mosedale said it’s an opportunity to ‘give back to the community’.
“It’s not unusual for Real Estate companies to sponsor soccer teams, sporting events and other initiatives. We consider ourselves a little different to your regular Real Estate business and so we thought why limit it to the usual sporting clubs. Supporting athletes of this type of nature is something we’re equally passionate about.”
The application, which is open to anyone 12-16 years old, requires those interested to ‘submit a short video (15 seconds – 3 minutes) introducing yourself, showcasing your skills and sharing why you’d make the perfect Upstate Athlete’.
Peter, who has a background in surf and snow previously working in SDS and General Pants, said they’re not trying to be the next ‘Quiksilver’ or ‘Billabong’ and break the bank for the world’s next best surfer. But believes financial incentive can go a long way to helping a kid’s dreams.
“We’ve run this sponsorship program for a few years now, we want to help people out and we usually offer them a three or four year deal worth a few grand which could go towards helping them get to contests, pay their entry fees or whatever it may be. We understand where we sit in the market and we just want to help where we can.
“We don’t necessarily get much out of it, but that’s not what it’s about. Considering our marketing budget and what we spend on Google Ads, this is something small which can go a long way. For a young athlete to receive backing and some extra cash, it’s an endorsement of their talent and can have a positive impact on their confidence.”
In terms of requirements from their athletes, Peter said it’s not going to be a ‘hundred page Nike contract with a million different requirements’.
“We usually just ask them to do the odd social media post and put a sticker on their board. I think this sort of thing encourages young athletes and their parents to consider how they market themselves. In this current age of social media, how you market yourself is almost equally as important as your talent, you need to be able to grow your following in order to survive.”
Anyone interested in adding a new sticker to the collection has until the end of October to apply, click here to get involved.
