BCU renewed its contract to sponsor the Stadium for three years, just as Coffs Harbour City Council gears up for the installation of digital television-quality lighting at the venue, making televised night events a possibility from early 2011.

BCU Chief Executive, Lyndon Kingston, said sponsoring the Stadium made perfect sense, given BCU’s origins and its future direction.

“BCU was, is and will always be committed to working to give the people of our region a fair go, to achieve the things they want to achieve, whether it’s through our banking services, or through one of our many sponsorship programs,” Mr Kingston said.

“Having a venue like BCU International Stadium right here in Coffs Harbour, ensures our region’s sportsmen and women are not disadvantaged by choosing to live outside the metropolitan areas,” Mr Kingston said.

“In addition, the Stadium is a drawcard for the region. It brings competitors and spectators from across the State and the country. They stay here, they play here and they spend money with local businesses to bolster our local economy - it’s a great thing for our region and BCU is proud to be a part of it.”

In addition to its sponsorship, BCU will also contribute to providing caps for more than 30 volunteers and food service staff who work at the Stadium.

“The volunteers put in so much of their own time at the Stadium - this was our way of saying thanks,” Mr Kingston said.

Coffs Harbour Mayor, Councillor Keith Rhoades, said Council was pleased to have BCU back on board as the Stadium’s naming rights sponsor.

“Coffs Harbour City Council is delighted that BCU has accepted our offer to continue as naming rights sponsor of BCU International Stadium,” Cr Rhoades said.

“BCU has been an excellent partner to date and, together, we’re looking forward to the next exciting phase at the Stadium with the construction of the new lighting in early 2011, which will take us into the digital television age.”

Cr Rhoades said during BCU’s first three years as naming rights sponsor, the Stadium hosted two Matildas World Cup Qualifiers, the 2008 Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games, the 2009 National Sikh Games, two South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL pre-season games, the FFA National Youth Championships and a number of national, state, regional and local events.