Media Release - 30 November 2021

Touch New Zealand is proud to announce an extension of their relationship with Principal Partner, Bunnings Warehouse, for a further three years.

The partnership, which started in 2018, now enters its fourth season. During this time, the sport has experienced an increase in membership, growing support from the community and a positive boost to the overall experience of the game.   

Commenting on the renewed partnership, Joe Sprangers, Touch NZ Chief Executive said “Working with Bunnings Warehouse has allowed us to bolster our core offerings to our Touch membership and we are delighted to be able to continue our relationship with them. Bunnings and Touch NZ share a joint vision of growing an inclusive, fun sport for all whanau.  Through the partnership we have a unique opportunity to connect and engage the community right down to a grassroots level and we look forward to continue building on our relationship for the seasons to come.”

From the beginning of this partnership, Bunnings’ priority has always been on providing meaningful support to the Touch community at a grassroots level. Over the past three years, Bunnings has contributed to over 1000 new coaches attending coaching courses and 300 coaches attending practical development courses,  introduced initiatives like the Bunnings Player of the Day certificates and awards, donated equipment for Module packs, as well as Bunnings Coaching Tool Kits. In 2020, Bunnings provided a further 224 coaching kits to directly support the coaching of tamariki and rangatahi.

Thousands of Touch fans and players have also enjoyed the Bunnings chill-out activation zones on game days. Players can cool off in the misting tent, tackle the Bunnings games to win prizes, and kickback between games with teammates. These activities have quickly become a well-known and eagerly anticipated highlight at Touch NZ events and will be back throughout the tournament season. 

Ben Camire, Director, Bunnings New Zealand, says, “We’re delighted to be renewing our partnership with Touch NZ and continuing to work together to grow the game and strengthen our connection to the Touch community.  From the very beginning our focus has been on bringing our shared values of teamwork and meaningful community connection to life and I am really proud of how we have been able to come together and grow the game from a grassroots level over the last three years.  

Our team is excited for the season ahead and look forward to supporting their local touch modules and tournaments over the next few months”. 

Bunnings and Touch NZ are looking forward to the season officially tapping off and celebrating the launch of another exciting summer of Touch.

Touch NZ Tournament Schedule:

Te Waipounamu Tournament, Christchurch, 12 - 13 December 2021

Bunnings Warehouse Touch Youth National Championships, Christchurch, 11 – 13 February 2022

Bunnings Warehouse Touch National Championships, Palmerston North, 3 – 6 March 2022

Media contact: 

Joe Sprangers

Chief Executive

Touch New Zealand

joe@touchnz.co.nz

+64(0)272828691

Touch New Zealand is the National Sports Organisation for the sport of Touch across New Zealand

Bunnings Warehouse is the Principal Partner of Touch NZ

Article added: Wednesday 01 December 2021