[NEWS] Preston Hire sponsors AIHL team, the Sydney Bears!

Preston Hire sponsors AIHL team, the Sydney Bears! 

Preston Hire is proud to announce that we are a sponsor for the Sydney Bears!  

We will be there to cheer on the Sydney Bears when they take on the Brisbane Lightning on Sunday 6 August at the Macquarie Ice Rink.   

Three-time Goodall Cup champions, the Sydney Bears play in the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL), the top division for ice hockey in Australia. Currently sitting in second place in their conference, they will fight tooth and nail in the upcoming match to try and secure the number one spot that will guarantee them a place in the final. 

Preston Hire had the opportunity to meet with fan favourite and alternate captain, Brian Funes, to discuss this exciting new sponsorship between Preston Hire and the Sydney Bears. With several years under his belt, Brian is a veteran within the team, taking on additional leadership and mentoring roles. Playing defence, Brian’s role on the ice is to block shots, protect his teammates, and afford them opportunities to strike. If you come along to a game, you’ll also see him cheering and encouraging his teammates.  

Asked what Preston Hire and the Sydney Bears have in common, Brian replied that it’s their unwavering dedication to what they do. While Preston Hire’s commitment is that you can “Count on us” for all your heavy machinery hire needs and solutions, this same level of commitment is reflected in the Sydney Bears’ mantra to “never stop competing”:   

“We’ve had situations in the past where we were down by a few goals,” said Brian. “We had to find that inner resolve to never stop competing. Even when the odds seem against us, we go right down to the final buzzer, right down to the final second of the game. Our mindset is that we can get it done despite the situation we’re facing.” 

Not only are Preston Hire and the Sydney Bears alike in their drive to deliver high quality products and services, or to give their utmost on the ice, respectively, but many Sydney Bears players also work in the construction industry, from landscaping roles to plumbing and civil works. “Both working in construction and playing hockey,” Brian adds, “are very physically demanding things to do. Preston Hire and the Sydney Bears do whatever it takes to get the job done. Whether that means sacrificing the body, for us hockey players, or Preston Hire’s determination to get the job done with the right equipment at the promised time.”  

As the AIHL is only semi-professional, ice hockey teams rely on corporate sponsorships to operate. “We’re very appreciative of Preston Hire’s support,” said Brian, “as sponsorship money literally enables us to compete interstate and to purchase new equipment and uniforms. It’s really the lifeblood that keeps the team going. It’s companies like Preston Hire, that support us financially, and the community’s support as well, that allows us to take that next step towards the professional level.” 

When asked what the future holds for the Sydney Bears, Brian remarked: “I think on the ice, obviously we’re looking for success in terms of winning the Goodall Cup this year. We have a strong core of Australian talent, and a pretty good system for finding imports [international hockey players] to fit in the team as well. Within the next 5 to 6 years, there’s the opportunity to become a force to contend with in the AIHL world, made possible by bringing in more people like coaching staff and further imports, as well as partnering with more businesses to help make this vision a reality. Hopefully in the future we’ll also have a new rink at Macquarie.” 

A defining moment of Brian’s time with the Sydney Bears, he said, was winning the Goodall Cup in 2019 against Perth Thunder, 5-2. “The Goodall Cup is presented for the highest level of hockey,” Brian explained. “It is one of the oldest active ice hockey trophies in the world. In 2019, we versed teams higher up the ladder in the final few matches, teams with more impressive resumes and extensive sponsorships. It was an incredible feeling holding up that trophy, knowing we’d won against all odds.” Preston Hire also takes pride in delivering solutions to seemingly impossible construction job problems or limitations, such as limited manuevability or space. You can “count on us” to come up with a solution to streamline your project needs.  

With another Goodall Cup win within their grasp, Brian promises to “make life miserable for the opponents” in the upcoming game against the Brisbane Lightning this Sunday. “If a guy says, ‘I hate playing against you.’ I take that as a compliment,” said Brian.  

Located at the Macquarie Ice Rink in North Ryde, doors open at 4:30pm for a 5pm start in what promises to be a fast-paced, high stakes game as both teams compete for a place in the final. There’s even the opportunity to meet the players after the game: “The cool thing is that we get to interact with the fans afterwards as well,” said Brian. “Whether it’s signing autographs or taking photos, we get to have a meet and greet. You’re always welcome to come to the Ranch hotel, our post-game venue, and have a beer and chat with us as well.” 

We hope to see you on Sunday for this final-defining match!   

Event Information 

Game: Sydney Bears vs. Brisbane Lightning 

When: Sunday, 6 August 2023  

Where: Macquarie Ice Rink, North Ryde (Corner of Herring and Waterloo Road) 

Time: Doors open at 4:30pm, for 5pm start.  

Ticket link: https://www.trybooking.com/events/1045421/sessions/3848635/sections/1925790/tickets