NBS new principal sponsor of Tasman female rugby

NBS, major sponsors of the Tasman Rugby Union (TRU) since 2014, have added support of all female rugby to their portfolio of community sponsorship in the region. The local banking services provider now supports female rugby from secondary school level up to front of jersey sponsorship of the Tasman Mako women.

Growing the female game through increased participation and engagement is a priority for both NZ Rugby and the TRU, and an emphasis that NBS is very keen to get behind.

Toni Lane, NBS Head of People and Client Experience, said “sponsoring female sport fits well with the NBS philosophy of giving back to the community and ensuring that local sport thrives. By supporting the Tasman Mako women, we are helping to provide a pathway for local female players.”

“With the Rugby World Cup for women being held in NZ later this year, the timing of this opportunity to help grow female rugby participation couldn’t be better”, she adds.

TRU CEO Lyndon Bray said “NBS is a significant and valued provider of financial services throughout our region and beyond and for them to recognise the value of female rugby to connect with their stakeholders is particularly pleasing. We welcome their commitment to our female game and to our Union”.

The NBS senior women’s competition and secondary schools programme are now well underway. At the conclusion, the Tasman Mako women contest the Farah Palmer Cup (FPC), with the first match to be played in Whangarei on Saturday 23 July against Northland.

The team will again be coached by former Black Fern (#119), Mel Bosman, who is the only female head coach in the competition. She will be assisted by former Tasman Mako halfback, Billy Guyton, who guided Marist to their NBS Tasman Trophy senior women’s club premiership.

Bosman is excited about the season ahead, saying “On the back of some strong performances in the NBS Tasman Trophy senior women’s club competition, we’ll be able to name a competitive squad for the FPC campaign”.

Two matches will be played in Nelson, with the team hosting Taranaki on Saturday 30 July and Hawke’s Bay on Saturday 20 August.