SPIRE partners with national company

HARPERSFIELD TOWNSHIP — A $6 million, multi-year partnership, was recently announced by SPIRE Academy and Vensure Employer Solutions, said SPIRE Academy Chief Executive Officer Steve Sanders.

“The partnership connects youth athlete development with workforce innovations, a growing trend as brands look to engage families in trusted high-attention environments,” a press release from SPIRE states.

The sponsorship represents one of the largest youth sport financial partnerships ever created, according to the release. During a phone interview, Sanders said the sponsorship will include direct naming rights to different aspects of the SPIRE portfolio.

“SPIRE is developing the next generation of leaders, and their impact in youth sports and education is growing fast,” said Phil Urso, chief sales officer at Venture HR. He went on to say the SPIRE commitment to the full person connects with Venture HR’s work to create stronger teams and develop talent, he said.

“Youth sports sponsorship is no longer a niche market,” said Amy Liles, head of partnerships and tournaments at SPIRE. “It’s one of of the most effective ways to meet families in an authentic, trusted environment.”

“What makes this partnership special is the alignment between our missions. Vensure HR and other partners like Third Federal Savings and Loan, Waffle House and Chick Fil-A are not just putting their names on our facilities, they are investing in what matters: future talent, performance development, and community impact,” Liles said.

The agreement includes brand visibility across high-profile SPIRE moments, the release states, with examples being national basketball events at the academy and naming rights to the Venture HR SPIRE Performance Research Center.

Vensure HR is the largest privately held organization in the HR technology and service sector, dealing with a wide variety of solutions for companies and organizations.

SPIRE Academy is a growing sports organization that continues to expand in influence. Kevin Boyle, a national championship coach, runs the academy’s basketball program after he was hired last summer from Monteverde Academy.

The academy sponsors a wide range of sports, with more on the horizon, Sanders said.