About Terry Johnston - 30 Years Turning Sponsorship Into Sustainable Revenue for Schools and Clubs
Discuss Your SuitabilityAbout Sponsorship Ready
Sponsorship Ready was born from being tasked by a client, a state sporting organisation, with building sponsorship capability and capacity in their clubs. It has since expanded to delivering strong results for schools, major events and even a confederation of FIFA.
Using the same principles in pitching premium sponsorship properties for rights holders nationally and internationally, Terry Johnston works with schools, sports clubs, associations and governing bodies to position themselves as capable of delivering on commercial, brand or community engagement objectives of prospective partners and driving sustainable educational sponsorship outcomes.
Utilising a simple 3-step framework, Terry mentors clients to unlock the value inherent in their reach-and-impact role in their respective communities. Incremental sponsorship revenue can be invested into impactful programs and initiatives that each client values.
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How Sponsorship Ready Works for Schools and Clubs
Questions About Working With Terry
Clear answers about Sponsorship Ready, Terry’s approach and the types of schools and clubs supported.
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Sponsorship Ready works with Australian schools and clubs that want to build a structured, repeatable sponsorship program. This includes public, Catholic and independent schools, as well as community sporting clubs, surf lifesaving clubs and state sporting organisations.
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School results range from $15,000 to $200,000 depending on the school’s size, state and sponsor categories targeted. On the club side, Batemans Bay Seahawks AFL grew from $68,000 to $156,500 in confirmed sponsorship — a 400% increase.
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Yes. Engaging Sponsorship Ready is considered a procurement decision by the NSW Department of Education. The coaching and professional development approach does not constitute outsourcing or a conflict-of-interest arrangement.
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Terry brings 30 years of hands-on sponsorship experience across professional sport, community clubs and education. He has built sponsorship programs at scale, negotiated with corporate sponsors and understands what businesses look for when they say yes.
Discuss whether Sponsorship Ready is right for your school or club
Meet Sponsorship Ready’s Director
Terry worked for Lion for 12 years in a senior sales role before moving into sponsorship and commercial partnerships. He later served as General Manager – Commercial for the North Queensland Cowboys from 2005 to 2011, where he led commercial growth and sponsorship initiatives. Terry then established Brand Ambassadors Pty Ltd, helping national brands, sporting organisations and rights holders build commercially successful sponsorship programs.
Today, through Sponsorship Ready, Terry has helped more than 100 schools, clubs and events across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria develop structured sponsorship programs that deliver long-term, sustainable revenue.
Professional Experience & Qualifications
- Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD)
- Bachelor of Business, Queensland University of Technology (QUT)
- Director, Brand Ambassadors Pty Ltd
- Former General Manager – Commercial, North Queensland Cowboys (2005–2011)
- Former Director, Townsville Fire Women’s National Basketball League Team
- Former Independent Board Member, Sports Federation of Queensland (QSport)
- Industry Adviser, Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ)
Terry lives in Brisbane with his wife and daughter and remains actively involved in grassroots community sport each weekend.
