Dick Smith Signs On to Sponsor NRL’s Auckland Nines

October 30, 2013

Consumer electronics company Dick Smith has agreed to sponsor the National Rugby League’s (NRL) Auckland Nines for the next five years.

The deal was announced today during the draw for the February tournament at Dick Smith’s flagship Sylvia Park store, led by Auckland Mayor Len Brown, NRL commercial director Paul Kind and Dick Smith Director of Operations Armando Pedruco.

Ticket revenue for the Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines has already edged over $NZ2 million – a sure sign that the event at Eden Park has already caught the public’s imagination.

“The Nines is an innovative start to the season that is not only creating great excitement in New Zealand but which has generated real interest among Australian fans and teams,” NRL CEO David Smith said.

“To see a major company like Dick Smith sign up as naming rights partner is a real vote of support for the tournament.

“The Nines format will give players a chance to showcase their attacking skills while keeping touch with the fabric of the game.

“There are some big things ahead for Rugby League next year and the Nine’s will provide a real springboard for the season.”

Duco Events managing director Mr David Higgins said, “We share a vision with the NRL, ATEED and Dick Smith to establish the NRL Auckland Nines as one of the premier annual events in Australia and New Zealand.

“Dick Smith is a strategic partner who shares our vision for this exciting new venture for rugby league and the New Zealand community.

“Dick Smith has a strong focus on engaging its community and customers through unique marketing opportunities, which is why we believe they’re the perfect fit for this partnership.

“Dick Smith is committed to selling premium products at competitive prices and that’s a nice alignment with us because that’s exactly what we are offering sports fans at the Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines.”

CEO of Dick Smith, Australia and New Zealand, Mr Nick Abboud said, “Dick Smith is proud to be the inaugural naming rights sponsor for the NRL Auckland Nines competition. As one of New Zealand’s longest serving consumer electronics retailers we’re passionate about investing in the New Zealand community. We see this as a perfect opportunity to re-energise our relationship with the community, especially here in Auckland where the support of our business is so strong.

“We believe this exciting new tournament will be New Zealand’s biggest summer event attracting many of the star players from the NRL, who will not only play at Eden Park, but also meet our customers through events at Dick Smith stores throughout Auckland.

“Many of us at Dick Smith are huge rugby league fans and are confident our customers and the community will get behind the NRL Auckland Nines and support it,” said Mr Abboud.

Dick Smith is the second major sponsor to sign on to the Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines alongside Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) which will invest NZ$ 9 million over five years.