ACT Brumbies move on coach and sponsor search ahead of Super Rugby Pacific

Plus500's one-year extension as the club's naming rights partner is set to expire at the end of the year with discussions ongoing about the potential of striking a new deal ahead of the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season.

The COVID-19 pandemic has left businesses and sporting clubs strapped for cash but both prospective and existing sponsors have shown interest in partnering with the Brumbies in a crucial development.

Brumbies chief executive Phil Thomson has returned to his post following surgery in a move which will likely see negotiations ramp up, with club chairman Matt Nobbs saying the club is keen to have a naming rights partner locked in by the end of October.

"Our naming rights partners are up for renewal this year so we're in talks with all of our sponsors, including Plus500, to gauge their involvement in 2022," Thomson said.

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"That's a process Gavin Hunt, our general manager of commercial, has been leading over the past two months or so. Now I'm back involved, I will become more involved with Gavin or the next month or so.

"The interest is good and with the commitment from our loyal partners, we're hoping the majority of our partners continue in 2022."

Brumbies officials hope the Super Rugby Pacific fixture will be finalised by the end of September, allowing the club to launch its membership drive and providing sponsors with a clear picture of the year ahead.

"There's a demand in Ireland where O'Neills produce all of our gear, I think they're under the pump. We've got to get it signed off and turned around so they can get gear to us in time for the start of next year," Nobbs said.

"Being the landscape we're in, a lot of those conversations are dependent on business in their field, and whether they can justify the spend on a major sponsorship.

"They're tricky conversations at the moment. The beauty of having those conversations with people is they recognise the brand, and because of the success we've had they realise we're a valuable partner."

The Brumbies are also in the process of sorting through head coaching applications for 2023 and beyond with Dan McKellar poised to link up the Wallabies full-time following the 2022 Super Rugby season.

"That's been sitting squarely with me. We got in excess of 20 applicants. There's good local and international interest," Thomson said.

"What we do over the next month or so is shortlist and then commence an interview process. There'll be a panel involved in shortlisting and the interview. We're just finalising that at the moment."

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