Pepper Money celebrate renewed principal partnership with the Hawks

Pepper Money have today renewed their principal partnership with the Illawarra Hawks for the NBL 2021-22 season. To celebrate the partnership, key local community groups will receive financial grants as part of a shared commitment to the Illawarra region.

Hawks Co-Owner and President Dorry Kordahi said he was proud of the progress Pepper Money has made with their continued partnership and active contribution to the Illawarra community.

“To have Australia’s best non-bank lender Pepper Money recommit as our Principal partner is a testament to our club and our community. Pepper Money have been on the journey with us reclaiming the club’s success and giving back to the community in meaningful ways that our fans can be proud of,” Kordahi said.

“We look to go one step further this season and know Pepper Money will be with us all the way,” he said.

Commenting on the renewed partnership, Pepper Money’s Australia and New Zealand CEO, Mario Rehayem said, “As the Principal Sponsor of the Illawarra Hawks, one of the things we're proudest about is being able to help the local Illawarra community interact with the club that they love,” Rehayem said.

“Together, and throughout our partnership, we continue to make it our mission to help create real-life differences that will positively impact the underserved in the Illawarra community. Our aim is to action our support with increased community engagement along with the development of programs that change people's lives for the better.

“As part of this commitment, each of the selected Community Partners will receive $1,000 grant on behalf of Pepper Money and the Hawks as assistance to continue their meaningful work with the underserved,” according to Rehayem.

In line with Pepper Money’s ambition to support the local community, the renewed partnership will establish the launch of the non-bank’s ‘Real Life Stories’ content series which profiles the community partners.

The series of community initiatives will be led by community engagement officer and local legend Tim Coenraad and will include Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra (MCCI) – a non-profit charity that supports people and communities from culturally and linguistically (CALD) diverse backgrounds in the Illawarra/ Shoalhaven regions.  “MCCI have chosen to allocate their $1000 grant towards developing a swimming program that teaches refugees how to swim and will ensure that are able to offer this important program to others in their community,” Coenraad said.

Also taking part in the ‘Real Life’ series, is Clontarf Foundation’s Vincentia Academy – a program aiming to improve the education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men by using sport as an incentive. “The Academy have chosen to allocate the grant to a model student and talented sportsman, who has overcome personal adversity. The grant will help provide sporting equipment but also to set up a savings account for when he graduates from high school,” Coenraad said.

The Disability Trust Partners will also feature in the series, “with the financial investment going towards much needed new equipment for the Jammers Basketball Program; established in 1993 for those with disability to get involved in the sport,” he explained. Other community partners include: Southern Youth and Family Services, Greenacres Employment Services, and Healthy Cities Illawarra.

According to Rehayem, “There are more community initiatives we are looking to support on the horizon as well, to once again reinforce our strong commitment to the Hawks, to their fans, to local businesses, and to the Illawarra region.”

“Pepper Money was built on the idea that there should be loan solutions available to help people through the highs, the lows, and unexpected events that real life throws at them. This partnership allows us to demonstrate our continued focus in the Illawarra community and keeping our values aligned whilst increasing awareness of our brand across Australia and New Zealand,” Rehayem concluded.

Pepper Money will take pride of place on the front of jersey for the Hawks NBL 2021-22 season. The Hawks will open their new NBL campaign with two pre-season blockbusters, Thursday 25 November against NZ Breakers and Sydney Kings on Saturday 27 November, both at WIN Entertainment Centre. Tickets go on sale Wednesday 10 November through Ticketmaster.