US car maker Ford has strengthened its partnership with New Zealand Cricket by becoming shirt sponsor of the national team.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the Ford logo will feature prominently on New Zealand’s playing shirts for all matches at home and abroad. In addition, Ford’s increased sponsorship under the new agreement will also be acknowledged on the playing uniforms of the women’s national team, ‘A’ and Under-19 teams.
Ford has been the official vehicle supplier to NZC since 2009 and, since 2011, also the naming rights sponsor of the Ford Trophy, the country’s premier domestic one-day competition. Chris Masterson, marketing director of Ford NZ, said: “We recognise the widespread passion for the game in New Zealand and the dedication of people at all levels to keep the sport robust and thriving.
“Ford is proud to be the driving force behind New Zealand sport. In addition to the Blackcaps and New Zealand Cricket, we are also long standing partners, 20 years in fact, of the All Blacks and New Zealand Rugby. We are proud sponsors of Hockey New Zealand, and we’re also involved in motorsport, supporting John McIntyre in the V8 Super Tourers.”
Ford takes the shirt sponsorship rights from Australasian banking group ANZ, which last month announced a three-year extension to its commercial agreement with New Zealand Cricket. Under the terms of its deal, ANZ continues as a major sponsor and the official bank of New Zealand Cricket, with the agreement also including title sponsorship of international series played in the country.