Director and owner Rocky Gagliardi said 2024 wasn’t the business’ first year in the sponsor game.
“It's close to two or three years now,” he said.
“Sean Reidy has got some sort of affiliation with basketball, and we like to support our staff too, so we've got a really good connection with the Gators.”
But he also saw basketball as a bit of an underdog, with football and netball attracting the majority of financial sponsors.
“Obviously, it’s about the local community as well and gets us exposed out there, but I think one of the reasons why we helped out the basketball too is because it’s probably not the traditional sport that businesses support,” Mr Gagliardi said.
“It’s a growing sport across all age groups and females and males and lots of families.
“I didn’t realise how much it’s really connected until we actually got involved.”
Mr Gagliardi said one of the most important elements of sport was the community enjoyment.
“They provide a bit of family entertainment on a Saturday night, and you’ve not always got that family time which you can go with your whole family and actually enjoy a really good game and a good atmosphere,” he said.
The News has captured that atmosphere in the Underdog documentary, premiering on Thursday, November 21.
Gagliardi Scott Real Estate has taken its support of the team one step further, sponsoring the documentary.
Mr Gagliardi said he felt it was important to support the team in all aspects, which is why he got involved with the documentary.
“We feel like we’ve had a fair bit to do with their journey, especially the last two or three years,” he said.
“So we feel a part of the team and that’s one of the reasons why we thought, well, we’re not going to do it half-hearted.
“I think it (Underdog) is going to foster and grow again and help promote the sport.”
He invited everyone, especially families, to get around the sport and support the Gators.
“I really encourage a lot of families who don’t understand basketball, who don’t follow basketball to show more appreciation and go enjoy good entertainment and family time,” he said.
“From last year to this year in, I’m glad that we’ve all rallied around.”
Grab your tickets to the Underdog documentary online at tinyurl.com/z4b3jh33
Underdog is a McPherson Media Group documentary produced by Megan Fisher and Jay Bryce, screening at the University of Melbourne, Shepparton Campus, from 6pm on Thursday, November 21.
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