On hand at the announcement at Crazy John’s, Chadstone, were Crazy John’s chief executive John Ilhan, Crazy John’s South Dragons co-owners Mark Cowan and Raphael Geminder, coach Shane Heal and a host of stars who will front up the club’s new-season campaign.

Hosted by MC Glenn Manton, the sponsorship launch was attended by Crazy John’s South Dragons supporters and key media representatives.

Speaking at the event John Ilhan said he was thrilled to be on board with the Crazy John’s South Dragons.

“After an exceptionally successful inaugural season, the Crazy John’s Dragons have an amazing future ahead,” he said.

“It is exciting to be involved with a sports team that is at the very beginning of what will be a long and rich history of success, and Crazy John’s looks forward to sharing this with both the champion players of today, and the champion players of the future.

“We look forward to being part of the basketball community in Australia, and enjoying the stories about the Crazy John’s Dragons’ grand final success come the end of the season.”

Crazy John’s South Dragons chairman Mark Cowan said the announcement of the new sponsorship deal was the first step on the road to a second successful season for the club.

“I think we had a tremendous first year but I’m very confident that this new partnership will be one of the key factors that will really allow us to move to the next step and go one better in 2007,” he said.

Following the official announcement of Crazy John’s as the club’s inaugural naming rights sponsor, Heal joined teammates Joe Ingles, Jacob Holmes, Brent Hobba, Matt Burston, Simon Conn and Brad Hill in signing autographs and meeting with fans.

Also on hand at the event were Lil’D and the Crazy John’s mascot, who proved a hit with the assembled crowd.

The Crazy John’s South Dragons will launch their official pre-season campaign on Monday, July 2.

Check out photos of the sponsorship launch HERE.