CARAVAN builder Jayco has been elevated to 'major' sponsors of the disgraced Melbourne Storm rugby club.

The Dandenong-based manufacturer – a big supporter of sport in Australia – was a platinum sponsor for many years, its distinctive name occupying a place on the front of team shorts ... though this was switched to the back for the start of the 2010 season.

But with superannuation fund HOSTPLUS and ME Bank now axing their sponsorship deals with the scandal-ridden Storm, Jayco has been elevated to major status and its name has hurriedly been transferred to players' jerseys.

Jayco's managing director and founder Gerry Ryan is a board member of the club.

His company, which manufacturers nearly 50 percent of Australia's recreational vehicles, is a long-time backer of the National Rugby League team, once one of the most valuable sponsorship properties on the country's sporting scene.

Melbourne Storm has been stripped of its 2007 and 2009 premiership titles and lost all competition points for the current season in a salary cap scandal that has rocked Australia's sporting world.

It was also fined $500,000 and will be forced to return $1.1 million in prize money after committing pay breaches amounting to at least $1.7 million.

Many of its sponsors are now considering their future with the team.

But a Jayco spokesman told Caravanning News: "We are not rushing into any decisions at this stage." Another media outlet quoted him as saying: "It's been a solid partnership over the last 12 years, and we plan to stand by the team while it rebuilds after this difficult period."

Until April 24, the Jayco website boasted: "Jayco have had a long association with the Melbourne Storm, the current NRL champions for over eight years.

"A number of the players and their partners regularly get away with their Jaycos during their rest between seasons.

"Jayco is proud to be a partner with the Melbourne Storm again for the season of 2010."

But the wording has now been changed to: "Jayco have had a long association with the Melbourne Storm.

"A number of players and their partners choose to regularly use a Jayco when they want to getaway for rests between seasons to explore the country.

"Go Storm!"

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