High octane sponsor for local rugby
A new sponsor will be fuelling the King Country Rugby Football Union this season with Waitomo Petroleum signing on.
The sponsorship deal will provide funding for the provincial team as well as discounted petrol for key staff.
Waitomo Petroleum Managing Director, Jimmy Ormsby, said the company has been a minor sponsor of the union for the past two years, sponsoring the B team, but has been eager excited to now step up to a major role.
‘‘Our company was founded in Te Kuiti so we share the same
‘‘It’s a great fit for our union having someone who knows the King Country through and through.’’
home patch,’’ he said.
‘‘We’re always keen to look after local families and proud to support the King Country Rugby Union’s grass root players.’’
The King Country top squad this year is flush with Taupo players with 12 making the grade and will be eligible for the Waitomo Petroleum Player of the Year and top point scorer.
Under the new sponsorship deal, Waitomo’s logo will appear on all draws and programmes associated with the King Country Club Rugby Competition which comprises 11 senior teams and over 300 players.
The union’s Heartland representative team, will wear Waitomo Petroleum’s logo on their shorts for the first time when they take on Waikato in a highly-anticipated Ranfurly Shield challenge at Matamata on July 30.
King Country Rugby Football Union general manager Susan Youngman said it is great to have Waitomo Petroleum on board because their fuel stops are right across the region where players come from.
‘‘They’re a family business with heartland principles too – it’s a great fit for our union having someone who knows the King Country through and through and understands the logistics of how big our geographical area is,’’ she said.
‘‘We’ll certainly be encouraging our players and their families to support Waitomo Petroleum in return for them supporting us.’’
Waitomo has been increasing their investment in the region with new station set up in Mangakino and another being built in Turangi.
The Turangi station will be open mid July.