Vodafone Warriors and New Zealand School of Education (NZSE) have joined forces in an innovative sponsorship.
An agreement between the two organisations provide for a three-year sponsorship until the end of the 2014 season.
NZSE will have branding on the back of the shorts of the NYC premiership-winning Vodafone Junior Warriors’ 2012 kit. As a leading IT provider, it will also be the Club’s official education provider.
Vodafone Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah described the relationship as a “perfect fit,” and that it was a hugely exciting development for both.
“We are not only striving to develop and produce NRL rugby league players of the future but also committed to developing these young people and giving them skills outside the game. NZSE has the same ideals,” he said.
NZSE Chief Executive Adam Berry said the sponsorship reflected synergies shared by the two organisations in several areas including youth, education and the community.
“We have an ongoing commitment to making a difference in the lives of our students by providing access to individuals and role models, whom our students respect, admire and whose core values are aligned with those of the New Zealand School of Education,” he said.
“The next three years will be exciting for NZSE as we will be actively collaborating with the Vodafone Warriors, bringing together our core values of providing youth with life skills through commitment to education and workplace opportunities. The Vodafone Warriors’ widespread popularity is well positioned to deliver the valuable message of the importance of education,” he added.
Mr Berry said the Vodafone Warriors’ core values and commitment to providing continued education for players created an immediate impression.
“Based on our students’ feedback, we visited the Vodafone Warriors and Dean Bell showed us the development programme for the Club’s young players and the education opportunities for players to build a career outside of the sport. I knew we were dealing with an organisation that really walked the talk,” he said.
“The Club and the NRL are committed to educating players before, during and after their professional playing careers. NZSE wants its students to become the very best that they can be and replicate the values that the Vodafone Warriors encompass; individual responsibility, integrity, honesty, hard work and their never give up on yourself or your mates mindset.”
