MEDIA RELEASE
20 MARCH 2018

Sutherland Governance Limited is the new major sponsor of the Taranaki Rugby Referees’ Association [TRRA], forming a new relationship with the whistle blowers.

The three-year deal will be complemented by associate sponsors the Taranaki Community Rugby Trust [TCRT], proudly displaying their brand together with that of their platinum community partner, Beach Energy. TCRT and Beach are committed to supporting the community game.

Sutherland Governance replaces Farmlands, who had been major sponsors of the referees since 2011.

Malcolm Sutherland, Principal of Sutherland Governance, said support for the referees is vital to the community game.

“We are delighted to have this opportunity to back the refs. We recognise that sporting value to the community emanates substantially from the quality of performance and experience that officials enjoy, particularly voluntary officials. In this regard, we are keen to see TRRA members enjoying their passion for rugby refereeing, secure in their knowledge that they have the backing of both commercial and charitable interests in the community. As a result, we are also keen to see TRRA being attractive as an iconic, prestigious brand partner, eagerly sought after by successive sponsors into the future.”

Speaking for the associate sponsor, Harry Bayliss, Chair Finance, Audit and Risk Committee, Taranaki Community Rugby Trust, advised that “TCRT was established 10 years ago for the purpose of promoting community rugby with a focus on the health, welfare and safety of all persons engaged in the amateur, community game, aiming to see as many people as possible enjoying rugby for years to come. These objectives can only be met if we have well trained referees who are able to constructively interact with players, to lift the quality and safety of on field play. TCRT are very pleased to be able to support TRRA. TCRT would also like to acknowledge our Community Partners Beach Energy.”

Taranaki Rugby Referees’ Association Chairman Ray Hopkinson is delighted with the new deal.

“This is huge for our Association and we are appreciative of the commitment with sponsorship support from Sutherland Governance, the TCRT, Beach Energy and also funding from the TSB Community Trust and NZCT around our new apparel”.

Hopkinson also thanked Farmlands for their support.

Taranaki Rugby Football Union Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Parkinson, who is a referee himself, said the deal is very important to rugby in the province.

“Referees play a key role in the fabric our national game. This arrangement will benefit, not only the TRRA, but Taranaki Rugby to ensure that referees continue to service the game. We thank Sutherland Governance, and the Taranaki Community Rugby Trust along with their platinum partner Beach Energy for combined their support”, he said.

Parkinson and Hopkinson also thanked the TSB Community Trust and NZCT for supplying additional funding for the Association.

Referees in Taranaki will wear brand new gear, supplied by Dynasty Sport, during the CMK club rugby, secondary school and local representative competitions.

The Association will be going back to the traditional Taranaki colours, with amber jerseys and black shorts and socks.

About Sutherland Governance Limited:

Sutherland Governance is a Taranaki based, globally experienced private business practice serviced by Malcolm Sutherland, Chartered Company Director. Malcolm is also the Principal of Blanchard New Zealand, a registered NZ leadership training and consulting company licensed to The Ken Blanchard Companies Inc. USA. In this environment, Malcolm is the elected worldwide Convener of the Blanchard Global Partner Council representing a 40-country licensee network. He is a 30-year services donor across the spectrum of Taranaki rugby.

Sutherland Governance specialises in facilitating;

• business governance and strategic performance know-how applicable across all business sectors, types and sizes
• business methods for realising true value, and acceleration breakthrough performance

Website: www.sutherlandgovernance.com

Contact: malcolm.sutherland@blanchard.co.nz, 021 638 459

-ENDS-

For more information, please contact;
Ray Hopkinson
TRRA Chairman/President
027 449 7917

Article added: Wednesday 20 March 2019