Unison Announces Partnership with Hawke’s Bay Junior Netball
30 January 2014 – Netball in Hawke’s Bay is powering up for a great season, following the announcement of Unison as the
naming sponsor of the junior netball programme.
Unison has been a major sponsor of junior rugby in Hawke’s Bay for the last five years, helping to grow the game
locally, and the Company now plans to offer similar support to netball.
“Over the past five years, we have developed a successful programme to help rugby grow from the grass roots up, and we
felt junior netball provided a great opportunity to extend that success to another sport in our community,” said Unison
Group Chief Executive Officer, Ken Sutherland.
“By partnering with sports like rugby and netball, we are able to reach thousands of children with important safety
messages, while supporting an active and healthy community through participation in sport.”
Tina Arlidge, Operations Manager for Hawke’s Bay Netball said she was thrilled Unison had come on board as a major
sponsor of junior netball in Hawke’s Bay.
“A major focus of our work in 2014 will be in Primary Schools, rolling out the new Netball New Zealand Junior programme
and ensuring every child has access to a quality and consistent programme, and develops a lifelong love of the game.
“This is the first year we will be offering netball to five and six year-old children. With Unison’s support, this is
shaping up to be a very successful season.”
All primary school netballers will receive a kit bag and drink bottle from Unison, with each team also getting Player of
the Day certificates and trophies. The Unison Medal ceremony will be held at the end of the season, recognising one
player from each primary school team who has shown great work ethic, discipline and sportsmanship throughout the season.
Unison will run a variety of competitions and campaigns, including the popular Great Photo competition and Greatest
Supporter promotion. Unison’s support will also extend to the junior umpire programme.
The junior netball programme will commence in term one of the school year, based at both the Regional Sports Park in
Hastings, and the Onekawa Courts in Napier.
ENDS