App to help fans support their sports club

LOCAL sports clubs are being encouraged to sign up to a fan-empowered sponsorship platform as a new way for their supporters to raise money.

MyFavorito celebrated the return of local sport at an event held at Kardinia Park last week featuring Melbourne Vixen and Australian Diamond Emily Mannix, who played her junior netball at Drysdale; and retired Geelong Cats star Cam Mooney, who is now connected with Newtown & Chilwell through his children.

Fans collect MyFavorito codes whenever they pay attention to videos or other content or spend on everyday brands, which include local outlets Geelong Fresh Foods, Grill’d and Cotton On.

After scanning or entering the code, fans can send real money to their favourite club.

Mannix, who brought the 2020 Suncorp Super Netball Championship trophy with her to the event, said she loved the concept of MyFavorito and how it supported community clubs.

“Coming from Drysdale and playing community sport, it’s such a big part of me and where I’ve come from, and it’s really special; not everyone gets to be involved in a footy or netball environment and I think it really adds to who I am today,” she said.

Mooney said he was excited about MyFavorito because it touched home for him.

“From being a young boy playing for my local footy club to my kids now playing for Newtown & Chilwell, I know how important it is to support your local club,” he said.

“After the year we’ve just had, it’s more important than ever.

“The kids got two or three games in – I’m a father of four children, so to watch my kids not being able to play sport last year was absolutely heartbreaking.”

MyFavorito managing partner Mark Hinshelwood, said last week’s event was about reconnecting people and communities after the disappointment of 2020.

“MyFavorito kicked off its Australian arm right here in Geelong after we saw the strength of the local sport and community, and the fact that the region is a burgeoning technology hub,” he said.

“We are changing the game for millions of fans, brands and clubs.

“We are helping 30,000 sports clubs access a new revenue source, and we want to pay out $1.6 billion per annum to Australian sports clubs
by 2026.

“Part of our mission is to accelerate the monetisation, prosperity and growth of women’s and grassroots sport.”