M&J Chickens Continue to Back the Bulldogs

Local company M&J Chickens has agreed to a two-year partnership extension with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

M&J Chickens, a wholesale supplier of specialised poultry products to the hospitality industry, has been associated with the Bulldogs for over 20 years and its new deal will see the partnership extend through to the end of the 2024 season.

The relationship, which dates back to 2003, makes M&J Chickens one of the Bulldogs’ longest serving partners and one of only two current partnerships to have seen the Bulldogs claim a Premiership title (2004).

Whilst the Club hasn’t seen another title since 2004, the commitment and increased investment from M&J Chickens in the new agreement, speaks volumes to the on-going support and trust in the Bulldogs’ latest club re-build.

“M&J Chickens is proud to have forged such a strong and stable relationship with the Bulldogs,” M&J Chickens Chief Executive Officer, Sam Phylactou said.

“It is a relationship that has been forged from mutual respect, family values and strong ties with the community. M&J is all about family, as is the Bulldogs. Like the Bulldogs, Rugby League is in our DNA, and it is a privilege to be aligned with such an iconic Club and their proud community.”

M&J Chickens was founded in 1982, starting out locally in Wiley Park, NSW as a small, humble deli. Fast forward to today and they have grown significantly to become a trusted and reliable poultry supplier to over 3000 Australian businesses. Working together over the last 20 years, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and M&J Chickens have grown from strength to strength – all the meanwhile keeping community alignment at the heart of their operations.

Bulldogs Chief Executive Officer, Aaron Warburton said he was thrilled to extend the relationship: “M&J Chickens has made a real difference to this Club. Working together for over 20 years, M&J Chickens has shown great loyalty and longevity to the Bulldogs family and have grown to become a leading community partner.

“Like all families, we have seen the good times and worked through the tough times together. Our partnership commenced in 2003 and has gone from strength to strength. We are thrilled to have M&J Chickens as part of our family, and we thank Sam, Mina and entire Souris family for their on-going support and unwavering support.”

Whilst the M&J Chicken logo won’t adorn the jersey in 2023, players will instead wear a logo that is close to the heart of the Bulldogs family. Giving up the company’s territory, M&J Chickens have asked that the Jenny Souris Foundation (JSF) logo be printed across the lower back of the apparel set to be worn by the Club’s NRL side.

The Jenny Souris Foundation was established in February 2021 in honour of the late Jenny Souris – the ‘J’ in M&J Chickens.

It was Jenny Souris, alongside husband Mina, who first established the poultry business, and she is remembered fondly as an exceptional and hard-working woman who was a true humanitarian. When she wasn’t helping her family out at M&J Chickens, she was spending her time supporting others through their personal struggles.

In 2020, Jenny sadly lost her ten-year battle with cancer and leukemia. In February 2021, Jenny’s family decided to honour her legacy by launching the Jenny Souris Foundation (JSF).

Jenny, who had always been a passionate Bulldogs supporter, was extremely proud to see the M&J logo displayed on the Clubs’ jersey. In honour of Jenny and the JSF, M&J Chickens decided that they would donate their Bulldogs Jersey position to the Foundation following its’ launch and have agreed to continue this legacy over the next two years.

“It has never been a difficult decision,” said M&J CEO, Phylactou.

“The Board was fully supportive when we gave up the territory to help launch the Foundation in 2021 and that support continues whole-heartedly. The main mission of the foundation is to help provide funding for families and individuals who are suffering financial burdens that arise due to illness,” he said.

“Jenny’s passion was helping others. By donating the logo placement, we believe we can help bring more attention to the fantastic and life-changing work that the Foundation does.”

JSF has grown to become one of the Bulldogs’ Community Partners and the Bulldogs are committed to support the work that the Foundation does to help individuals and families in need of critical medical treatment.

In support of the Foundation, the Bulldogs will host a special round - the Jenny Souris Foundation Round on Friday the 12th of May 2022 at Accor Stadium, when they take on the Warriors. The Bulldogs and JSF are partnering in this Round (Round 11) to raise awareness and critically needed funds. The Round will be a great opportunity for Bulldogs partners, Members and fans to get behind the campaign and show their support.

Ticket sales for this fixture are due to be released late February. For access to discounted tickets or to guarantee your seats, be sure to secure a Membership.

To find out more about the Jenny Souris Foundation and family, visit: https://www.jsf.org.au/ and for more information on M&J Chickens, visit: https://mandjchickens.com.au/