New Zealand Rugby has entered into a partnership with Specsavers that will see the optician chain lend its support to the body’s referees for the next three seasons of the Super Rugby club competition.
Specsavers has agreed a three-year partnership with NZR, which will cover the 2016, 2017 and 2018 editions of the tournament, and includes branding rights for the company on referee kits.
As part of the agreement, the body’s high-performance referees will have comprehensive eye checks provided for them by Specsavers. The referees will have eye examinations once a year before the start of each season.
NZR general manager of rugby Neil Sorensen said: “We know referees get a lot of stick for the things they see – or don’t see – on the field. This partnership sends a good message to everyone, not just referees, that getting your eyes checked is important. That’s why we have ensured our referees have had their Specsavers vision warrant of fitness from professional optometrists.”
The 2016 Super Rugby season gets underway in New Zealand on February 26 when the Blues host reigning champions the Highlanders.