Softball New Zealand has announced a “game changing” sponsorship deal for home building company Golden Homes to assume naming rights to its men’s national team, the sport’s reigning world champion.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Golden Homes has secured naming rights to the Black Sox as the team begins to prepare for the defence of its title.
In December, New Zealand will host the Oceania qualifying tournament at Rosedale Park, Albany for the 2015 Men’s World Softball Championship being held in Saskatoon, Canada.
“The Golden Homes partnership is a major shift in thinking for softball in New Zealand,” Softball NZ chief executive Tony Giles said. “This strategic partnership with a corporate sponsor is an unprecedented opportunity to promote not only the Black Sox nationally and internationally, but the game of softball throughout New Zealand.
“The Golden Homes support will allow the New Zealand Black Sox to compete internationally more often and ensure we continue to produce world champion teams. Over time this partnership will also allow SNZ to better support programmes and other initiatives from grassroots level through to high performance.”
The support of Golden Homes comes after the signing last week of gym chain Cityfitness as a partner for the sport with further sponsorship expected in the coming months.