[23 AUG 10] CRUSADER NEWS

 Subway & Crusaders

10th Anniversary

Inset: Coventry Crusaders Managing Director Robert ‘Dip’ Donaldson & Subway franchisee Bob Johal.

Picture courtesy of www.sallyevansphoto.co.uk

By Adam Manning

Crusaders Reporter

It is the tenth anniversary of the Coventry Crusaders’ partnership with sandwich giant Subway, and Coventry’s Subway franchisee Daljit Nahil is looking to become more involved in sponsoring the Crusaders’ community activities to mark the decade milestone.

Nahil, who fetches over 10,000 customers from eleven Coventry stores per week, is encouraged by the continuing success of the club’s community involvement, with the ‘Hoops 4 Health’ initiative reaching over 20 primary schools last year. ‘Hoops 4 Health’ is a primary school initiative where Crusaders players educate youngsters about healthy food alongside the dangers of smoking, which is integrated with sessions of basketball.

Nahil is now looking for more of an active and deeper relationship with the club as Subway looks to stretch its 18-35 year old adult market into junior schools.

The Coventry-born business man described the ten year relationship as ‘strong’ but admitted that ‘it’s something we can both get more out of’ after playing a bit-part role in sponsoring match night events over the years.

‘When we started off we just had a board courtside, and occasionally provided a bit of food.’ he said. ‘Recently it’s developed a little bit more so that we promote our products at the games and give flyers to the fans and even advertise on the website. We even started sending out t-shirts to the Crusaders last year for their school programmes; so we’re getting there.’

And with the city’s Director of Health DR Caron Grainger’s claims last November that 64% of Coventry’s year six children are obese, Nahil is trying to do his bit along with the Crusaders to help tackle the high obesity levels.

Nahil has recently introduced a ‘kid’s achievement certificate’ in five primary schools where Under-11s can win a ‘free kids pack’. Children can simply tear off the voucher from their certificate and take it to one of any Subway stores in Coventry for a free sandwich, drink and cookie.

‘I know the Crusaders go into schools which is something I’d love to promote Subway in.’ he enthused. ‘What the Crusaders do gets kids off the streets, into sport and to be healthy and active.’

‘This year I’d like to continue working on the kids’ side of things to promote our healthy choices and low-fat range. Our message is you can have your sandwiches made exactly how you want them, right in front of you with fresh bread; that’s our selling point’ he added.

To take advantage of Subway Coventry’s ‘kids achievement certificate’ or for more information,

e-mail Daljit Nahil on subwaycov@aol.com .

 

  Main Menu | News | Subway Milestone   23 AUG 2010