Anyone who follows the National Rugby League will know the legendary Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and their always entertaining coach, Des Hasler.
What many may not know is that Hasler also gets excited about solar power, and not just because they just got a new sponsor in the form of Australian company Opal Solar. In a media statement yesterday, Hasler kept the media scrum in check and played the ball beautifully for their new sponsor. “You know what to do when the sun comes up don’t you?” Hasler quipped. “You have to get into solar mate, Opal Solar. Its all about electricity and energy costs. It’s very important”
Beyond the plugs for his new sponsor, Hasler is a genuine and enthusiastic solar believer pretty much like any other Australian who wants to see their energy costs reduced. The Clubs CEO Raelene Castle expressed the clubs enthusiasm for such sponsor saying “any company who is working towards making the environment a better place is a company that we’re pleased to be associated with”.
Arguably however, the sponsorship is a huge free kick for the entire solar industry, not just sponsors Opal Solar. Why?
Firstly because despite what the naysayers would have you believe solar is unequivocally most popular in working class Australia, a fact highlighted in news media today. Turns out that more than 25% of homes in Western Sydney (home of the Bulldogs) already have solar and in the coming years this is expected to reach 50%.
Secondly, the Bulldogs just happen to be the most watched NRL team in Australia on free-to-air television, according to recent research. What these means is that millions of fans will tune in and in doing so will be exposed to solar messaging from Opal Solar. Undoubtedly, Opal Solar and their installers will benefit hugely but I suspect that this sponsorship will also help spread the word more broadly.
Despite the fact that it is a tough time for the solar industry in Australia, Opal Solar are one company who are not giving up. They are spending big, supporting a legendary NRL team coach and that is a good sign. The bulldogs celebrate 80 years of chucking leather around this year. Get out and support them and give the team at Opal Solar a hearty handshake for helping to show the industry is still alive and kicking.
Source: Solar Business. Reproduced with permission.
