5 March 2012

When New Zealand’s Super Rugby teams take to the field this weekend they’ll do so with a new logo on their chests.

For one round, the BNZ logo on the jersey of New Zealand Super Rugby players will be subbed off in favour of Plunket with the appearance of a special Plunket charity jersey. The unique logo swap, will take place for the two local derby matches between the Chiefs and the Blues in Hamilton on March 2 and again for the Highlanders v Crusaders match in Dunedin on March 3.

The jersey swap is timed to help kick off Plunket’s annual appeal week and the Chiefs and Highlanders are helping by hosting collections at the home games leading into the appeal. Last year Plunket cancelled its annual appeal week due to the Christchurch earthquake, leaving the organisation $1.2million down in fundraising.

Plunket hopes to raise $1million to help provide vital funds for the wide variety of community services it delivers to New Zealand children, families and whānau.

Plunket CEO Jenny Prince says that all money collected locally stays locally so that Plunket can continue to provide support to local families when they need it.

“Our annual appeal is one of our most important fundraisers and this is just such a fantastic way to kick it off!

Plunket’s principal sponsor BNZ and the NZRU are great friends to us and we’re so thankful to both organisations for their support.”

BNZ CEO Andrew Thorburn says the bank has a proud history of working with Plunket and is keen to acknowledge how important it is to New Zealand families.

“Plunket has been working with New Zealanders for more than 100 years. Nine out of every 10 kiwi babies are Plunket babies.

“At BNZ we’re working to strengthen our communities, and as principal sponsor hoping to bring more attention to this deserving organisation during its appeal week.”

NZRU’s General Manager Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen said that it was great that the Super Rugby franchises were able to support BNZ and Plunket by wearing the specially designed Plunket Charity jerseys.

“This is a fantastic initiative and one that we were delighted to get behind, as were all our franchises, SANZAR as the competition managers, and our apparel sponsor adidas.”

“The games at Waikato Stadium and Forsyth Barr Stadium will also feature goalpost bolsters especially branded with Plunket’s logo, so it will be pretty obvious we are all getting in behind this appeal,” Sorensen said.

Following the round two clashes, jerseys from the Chiefs, Blues, Crusaders and Highlanders will be put up for auction, with all proceeds going to Plunket. The Hurricanes are playing in South Africa so will not be changing their usual strip and will be sending a message of support to fans.

A number of BNZ staff will be collecting donations at the games for Plunket in the bank’s third year as major sponsor of New Zealand’s Super Rugby teams.

Ends

For further information please contact:

BNZ:
Emily Davies,
External Relations Consultant
09 924 8658
021 815 149
emily_davies@bnz.co.nz

Plunket:
Nikki Hooper
External Communications Executive
021 405 842
nikki.hooper@plunket.org.nz

NZRU:
Juli Clausen
Senior Media Advisor
0275 70 70 45
juli.clausen@nzrugby.co.nz

Tags: sponsors bnz super rugby NZRU Appeal fundraising 0 Comments 5 March 2012