SPONSORSHIP

The ABAS secured the first ever sponsorship deal for Scottish basketball in 1970 when the Scottish Milk Marketing Board supported a Junior Inter-Regional Tournament with the princely sum of £100. The money was used to hire facilities help with refereeing expenses and subsidised team travel costs

There was a major breakthrough in 1973 when Clarks Mens Shoes agreed to support the organisation of the Men's National League. The sum of £2,500 was agreed and this was used to pay for various inovations. A part-time administrator was appointed, responsible for arranging referees and paying their travelling expenses and fees. Commisioners were appointed to all games to ensure the smooth operation of matches and to report on the general conduct of games. Newspapers, however were reluctant to refer to the Clarks Mens Shoes National League on the grounds that it was free advertising.
















meeting of all National League Clubs was held in the Dunblane Hydro Hotel at which they agreed to the objective of promoting the company through a well organised sports competition. Clubs agreed to provide results to the league administrator who would deliver the league tables and statistics to the media in regular press releases. As sports sponsorship became more prevalent, the media began to include sponsors names in these articles refering to the events.

In 1976 the ABAS agreed to host a Pre-Olympic Tournament for European teams to Qualify for the games to be played later that year in Montreal. It was a major undertaking for a small country with potential benefits in terms of television coverage and related publicity. Volunteers from all parts of the country were recruited for the event which was held at Meadowbank Sports Centre. It was a great success and a memorable final was played between the eventual qualifiers Yugoslavia and Italy. The tournament was supported by the Scottish Sports Council with a special grant of £4,285 and in addition the ABAS attracted sponsorships to the value of £4,500.

Negotiations with the Bank of Scotland resulted in a support for the Junior National League and Cups.


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