Тренер команды Сандерленд: "Club signs partnership deal with BFS Group Limited.

Sunderland AFC has announced that BFS Group Limited will become the club’s new principal partner from season 2013-14.

BFS Group is the main UK operation of The Bidvest Group Limited, which is headquartered in South Africa. The Bidvest Group is a global business operating across a range of sectors with over 105,000 employees across four continents.

It also operates the largest global foodservice business outside North America and has significant presence in the UK market.

BFS Group and Bidvest is the ideal partner for Sunderland AFC, with both organisations sharing a strong heritage in supporting the communities they serve, both in the UK and abroad, championing sport for all and promoting health and wellbeing.

For Sunderland AFC, the partnership also aims to build on its growing affiliation with the African continent, kick started by its ground-breaking link up with the Invest in Africa initiative and recent collaboration with the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

The partnership includes sponsoring the players’ shirts, perimeter advertising and involvement from the players in local community events in the UK. The Bidvest Group also owns Bidvest Wits, one of the largest football clubs on the African continent and Sunderland AFC will be able to share coaching and business expertise with the South African club.

Sunderland AFC chief executive Margaret Byrne said: “We are absolutely delighted to be entering into a partnership with The BFS Group and Bidvest. The groups’ credentials in terms of community support are akin to our own and this takes our club to a whole new level in terms of its international commercial activity.

“Whilst Sunderland will always be a club defined by its proud regional history and heritage, in order for the club to continue to move forward, building our reputation and presence internationally becomes a key focus.

“I am sure this will be a very fruitful partnership for both parties.”"