Just in time for the start of the season, Stadtwerke Gießen and Bender Baskets Grünberg are extending their successful partnership for the next three years.
The first women's basketball team of TSV 1883 Grünberg - better known as the Bender Baskets - has now proven itself in the 2nd Bundesliga for 15 years. Stadtwerke Gießen (SWG) has sponsored the traditional club since its promotion in 2008. Just in time for the start of the 2023/24 season, the two partners have extended their successful partnership. The Bender Baskets can rely on three more years of active support from Giessen's Lahnstrasse. "We are delighted that SWG will remain our premium partner," explains Silke Arnheiter, Deputy Head of Department at Bender Baskets. "In times like these, that's not a matter of course and we really appreciate the commitment."
Growing over the years
There are many good reasons for SWG to continue supporting the women's basketball team from Grünberg. One of the most important is the professional and pleasant cooperation on an equal footing that has grown over the years. "Of course, different points of view and perspectives sometimes clash during negotiations. But in the end, we always find a solution that everyone is happy with," summarises Ulli Boos, Head of Marketing & Communication at SWG.
Money is important - but not everything
Comparatively small clubs like the Bender Baskets would find it extremely difficult to survive everyday league life without steadfast partners like SWG. "Attractive sport at Bundesliga level is simply unthinkable without sponsors," says Max Mattauch from the Bender Baskets sponsorship team. The costs for pure match operations are too high - for example for travelling and overnight stays. "Having a sponsor like SWG in the background makes our work much easier," adds Silke Arnheiter.
However, SWG's help is not only of a monetary nature. Twice a season, SWG mascot Fabius comes to a home game in the sports hall of the Theo Koch School and creates a great atmosphere in the stands. "Fabius is a real attraction and enriches the match day," says Manuel Jung, Head of Basketball.
Outstanding youth work
In the semi-professional team sport that the Bender Baskets play, there are basically two ways to set up a competitive team: buy fully trained players with a lot of sponsorship money or promote your own talents and gradually introduce them to the first team. TSV Grünberg has decided in favour of the second option and is pursuing it consistently and obviously successfully. In fact, there is at least one female youth team in all age groups from the minis to the U18s. And they usually play at the top and even bring titles to Grünberg time and again. Three German championships, four German Cup winners, multiple Hessen Cup winners and state champions make TSV Grünberg one of the most successful clubs in Hessen when it comes to basketball for girls and young women. The Bundesliga team thrives on this meticulous work with young people. But despite all the focus on performance and the clear focus on the first women's team, TSV Grünberg still has enough room for popular sport. "Children and young people who just want to have fun can also play basketball with us," reveals Aleksandra Heuser, youth officer for the basketball department.
This is precisely what makes the club even more interesting for SWG. After all, getting children and young people interested in sport and exercise is the aim of SWG's "Play your game" campaign. "So we're pulling in the same direction. Just like good partners do," says a delighted Ulli Boos.