The Monaco Basketball Association, home to the Principality’s leading women’s team, has announced an exciting new partnership with Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM), a collaboration set to boost the team’s presence in the sport and increase its financial capacities during the upcoming season and beyond.
At a press conference on Tuesday 17th September, SBM CEO Stéphane Valeri confirmed the new partnership agreement, saying, “It is a source of pride for me and for our Group to support the Monaco Basket Association, to help the women’s team progress to the highest peaks of the competition. This is a partnership that brings together many common values: respect for gender equality, team spirit and surpassing oneself, without forgetting the constant search for the best results.”
Founded in 2009 by Eric Elena, the Monaco Basketball Association and its premier team have made a name for themselves in the years since, winning the 2017 and 2022 French Cup Trophies and the 2017 NF2 French Championship. The team came close to victory last season as well, reaching the finals of the 2024 French Cup Trophy.
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Their ambition and hard work caught the eye of SBM, and the Group has now signed a contract with the club that will be “characterised by direct financial support to materially help the club climb the ladder of women’s basketball divisions, and indirect assistance, with the provision of certain Group infrastructures”.
The team is currently in the French Women’s National 1 (NF1) league, but has its sights set on ascending to the Ligue Féminine 2 this season. From there, the team will be within touching distance of the top women’s basketball league in France: the Ligue Féminine de Basket.
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“Having SBM believe in us is very important. We’re in the process of taking a step forward,” said Elena of the new partnership. “The entire women’s team, as well as the MBA managers, join me in thanking Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer and its Deputy Chairman, Stéphane Valeri, for the impetus given to our new 2024/2025 season. This partnership is an important step forward in supporting our ambition to rise as a team and forces us to surpass ourselves.”
The team also unveiled their new jerseys at the press conference. The kit features a bold and striking design that symbolises a new era for the team.
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Main photo credit: Monte-Carlo SBM