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At FNB, “How can we help you?” is much more than a slogan. It’s a sincere question, motivated by a genuine desire to assist in the building of this great nation one person at a time. Committed to enabling all South Africans to help themselves, the proudly local institution has long recognised that with the right support, we’re capable of anything.
This belief has been the driving force behind their personalised, innovative banking solutions for decades, and it was the impetus behind their decision to become a proud partner to the Springboks in 2017.
That’s because, just as it takes the correct partnerships to achieve individual success, it takes the right collaborations to foster collective national excellence.
As Faye Mfikwe, FNB Chief Marketing Officer, has observed: “Sport has the amazing power to unite a nation. There’s no better representation of this than the Springboks’ historic Rugby World Cup victories in 1995 and 2007.”
And while Mfikwe acknowledges that FNB’s partnership with the Springboks is the pinnacle of the sport development portfolio, she reminds us that it’s predicated on almost twenty years of investment in rugby development. “In that time”, she says, “we have enabled the FNB Classic Clashes since 2001 and the FNB Varsity Cup since 2008. Through this model, 34 players that participated in the FNB Varsity Cup have achieved Springbok status to date, with a total of 75 Springboks and 57 Blitzboks that have been involved at various stages with our rugby sponsorship ecosystem.”
“The ultimate dream for many young hopefuls”, she continues, “is to be given the honour of representing their national team and our grassroots platforms are increasingly playing an important role in facilitating the realisation of such aspirations.”
For FNB, then, having their logo emblazoned above each Springbok playing number is more than a casual affiliation. It’s a symbol of their continued commitment to making positive contributions that will take the country forward.
In celebration of that role, the bank has launched an extensive through-the-line campaign which explores the lives and contributions of the countless people who help tirelessly behind the scenes to assist the Springbok squad. Their recognition of the fact that it takes more than 15 players on the rugby field to ensure national success mirrors the bank’s offer of assistance to countless everyday South Africans on their own journeys towards fulfilling their potential.
Launching on 1 June 2018 on TV, outdoor, press, radio and digital platforms, the campaign invites us into a captivating story of the sheer enormity of the journey it takes young hopefuls to become a Springbok, outlaying the different aspects of help required in the process. From a father driving the kids to an early game; the linesman painting the field; the school coach nurturing talent along the way; the parents, the brothers, talent scouts and mentors and all the everyday people who help our country’s talented young athletes grow from grassroots to greatness.
This post and content is sponsored, written and provided by First National Bank
