School

With sponsorship of the FNB Netball
Classic Clashes, the bank will give schoolgirls around the country an
opportunity to gain opportunities of recognition, as the sport of Netball
continues to gain global momentum. Netball received Olympic sport recognition in 1995. 

FNB Head of Sponsorships Francois
Pienaar says the bank’s decision to focus also on ground-roots netball will
compliment the popular rugby and soccer classic clash sponsorships initiative.

Pienaar says from 2009 the FNB Netball
Classic Clashes will have over 400 girls from 40 schools participating in 20
matches from April to August, with a sponsorship of R600 000.

He says FNB recognized how Netball has
always been close to the hearts of many schoolgirls, parents and grandparents
in South Africa.

"We are proud of the results that our
Netball National team has in the international arena and the time has come for
FNB – in line with our brand value of being a Proudly South African Bank
– to give netball our support.

"School sports are the breeding grounds
for the next generation of national players and leaders in many countries. This
is because of the discipline and dedication that a sportsman or woman requires
to excel. We are really proud to think that we’ll have a hand in helping junior
talent to develop," Pienaar says.

Since 2001 FNB has been supporting the
Classic Clashes which, until now, were traditionally rugby clashes between
prominent rugby playing schools throughout the country. The games have cemented
ties between FNB and competing schools, parents, old boys, and other rugby
enthusiasts.