Sponsoring
Rabobank is the largest sponsor in the Netherlands, with sports and culture as its
main focus. Sports and culture sponsoring enable Rabobank to increase its social
commitment and its brand recognition at the same time. Cycling, field hockey and
equestrian sports are the spearheads of Rabobank's central sports sponsoring
policy. Its collaboration with NOC*NSF emphasises the role Rabobank plays in sports.
The Bank's cultural sponsoring policy is practiced in its sponsorship of the Van Gogh
Museum. In 2008, support was given to the GoChina! exposition. On a local level, the
local Rabobanks support many athletes, sports organisations and cultural events.
The right combination
Cycling
www.rabobank.com/sponsoring
Although commercial considerations obviously play an important part in Rabobank's sponsoring
relationships, community focus has always been its guiding principle. Rabobank opts for lasting and
structural collaboration with mutual benefit. It is of vital importance that sponsoring projects align with
our brand values: committed, near-by and a leader. In addition, market leadership and corporate social
responsibility are concepts that must be reflected in the various sponsoring projects. The theme for the
year 2008 was China, with nearly half a million people visiting the popular GoChina! exhibition and the
participation by many Rabo athletes in the Olympics in Beijing. The local Rabobanks too, responded
with various marketing and communication activities.
Rabobank invests in cycling. Its ambitions, as set out in the Rabo Cycling Plan, are embodied in Rabo
ProTeam, Rabo Continental Team and Rabo Cyclo-Cross Team, together totalling around fifty cyclists,
and in its structural contribution to community sport. The Rabobank is the main sponsor of the Royal
Dutch Race Cycling Union (KNWU) and supports the Dutch Tour Cycling Union (NTFU). Local Rabobanks
sponsor numerous cycling activities in their regions and support events for young people and talents.
Rabobank is one of the driving forces behind the touring version of the Amstel Gold Race, Go Biking
Tour, Rabo Dikke Banden ('fat tyre') races and several cycling clinics.The professional Rabo cycling team
took a new course in 2008. Rabobank has always championed a clean cycling sport and is making every
effort to achieve that, both in its own cycling team and in other ones.
Field hockey
During the twelve years of Rabobank's main sponsorship of the Royal Dutch Hockey Association (KNHB),
hockey has seen tremendous growth. In 2008, successes were celebrated, both internationally and
nationally. Both national teams participated in the Beijing Olympics, with the ladies'team winning the
gold medal. On a local level, too, a lot happened in field hockey in 2008. No fewer than 190 hockey
clubs have sponsor relationships with a local Rabobank. Such relationships are of great value and, on
a local level, are practical translations of the Rabobank's commitment to local field hockey communities.
The Rabobank Hockey Bonus enables clubs to finance their artificial turf or their pavilions at competitive
rates at their local Rabobank. Numerous clinics are organised for young people, with international
players coaching.
Equestrian sports
Based on its commitment to the agricultural sector, Rabobank has historical ties with equestrian sports.
In 2002, it became the main sponsor of the Royal Dutch Equestrian Sports Federation (KNHS) and in 2008,
this contract was renewed to the end of 2012. The Rabobank's sponsoring of equestrian sports covers
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Rabobank Group Annual Report 2008
