This week Baseball Victoria takes off on an exciting new course, supported by one of the world’s most recognised restaurant chains, TGI Fridays.
Commonly referred to simply as TGI’s, the global restaurant chain was originally founded in New York in 1965 by Alan Stillman, and now spans throughout 62 countries with over 1000 franchises worldwide.
Coupled with the global recognition of TGI’s and understanding the similarities with Baseball’s worldwide popularity, it was easy for Baseball Victoria’s CEO - Neale Price, to join the dots at a local level too:
“It’s very important for Baseball to be aligned with strong brands, and TGI Fridays is one of the most respected brands in the Victorian marketplace. The partnership with TGI Fridays will enable Baseball Victoria to be more pro-active at a grassroots level through schools, Tee Ball, and our holiday programs. We are genuinely excited about the partnerships potential to grow into a long term relationship, with both organisations totally committed to delivering quality outcomes for children and their families.”
TGI’s arrived in Australia in 1995 with the opening of the first restaurant at the Jam Factory Chapel Street, South Yarra. In 2002 the Imperium Group acquired the Master Franchise rights to own and operate TGI Fridays Australia and New Zealand, with restaurants now in 7 locations throughout Melbourne.
Amaresh Devanesen, TGI Fridays Director of Operations, has long been a baseball fan from childhood and more recently while attending Major League Baseball games in the US, and is excited by the newly formed relationship with Baseball Victoria.
“TGI Fridays is thrilled to announce a new partnership with Baseball Victoria. Whilst we are an American themed restaurant we are 100% Australian owned and operated. This collaboration is a great opportunity for us to truly connect further with another great American sport that shares many of the same core values as Fridays. We couldn’t be more excited to be supporting a ‘grass roots/ community focused’ business like Baseball Victoria and we feel that this partnership will not only help grow baseball in Victoria, but also provide opportunities for the baseball community to benefit from the guest experiences TGI Fridays provides. You could say TGI Fridays and Baseball go together like burgers and fries! And we look forward to many great collaborations in the future.”
This partnership has a great opportunity to help Baseball grow in Victoria, as well servicing our current members. All Baseball Victoria members will soon be able to take advantage of TGI’s 10% discount and kids eat free cards, along with many other upcoming community and grass roots focused initiatives and events.
So stay tuned and don’t miss out on the FUN!!
TGI Fridays are located around Melbourne in; Epping, Forest Hill Chase, Fountain Gate, Jam Factory, Melbourne Central, Southland, Southbank, Doncaster (opening Oct 2014).
For more information on the TGI’s nearest you visit http://www.tgifridays.com.au/index.php and for information on upcoming TGI Fridays and Baseball Victoria events visit www.baseballvictoria.com.au or call us on 96458000