Dole Announced as Tournament Supplier for 2011 Rugby World Cup

The world’s largest supplier of fruit and vegetables will provide rugby’s showcase tournament, including all 20 participating teams, with Dole bananas, while promotional activation will provide fans with the opportunity to win match tickets.

Rugby World Cup Limited chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “The creation of this partnership with one of the world’s most recognisable brands further enhances the enormous prestige and attraction of Rugby World Cup in the global market place.

“Rugby World Cup shares similar brand values with Dole and we are committed to Rugby being a vehicle for the promotion of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

“We look forward to working closely with Dole to promote Rugby and healthy living as sporting community counts down to the start of Rugby World Cup 2011 and a Tournament that looks set to be a resounding success.”

Steve Barton, New Zealand market representative for Dole Asia Ltd, added:  “Bananas are a source of energy and good health and they are ideally suited for promoting top performance and sporting excellence.

“As the largest banana supplier to New Zealand consumers for 15 years, it is fitting we align with the biggest sporting event to be hosted in the country. Dole’s markets for fruit are worldwide and in keeping with the global stature of this tournament.

The announcement of Dole as a Tournament Supplier adds to the multi-national portfolio of commercial partners for Rugby’s showcase Tournament.

Other partners include Emirates Airline, MasterCard, Heineken, ANZ and DHL as Rugby World Cup 2011 Worldwide Partners, Brancott Estate, Toshiba, Land Rover, Microsoft and Blackberry as Official Sponsors, Licensing in Motion and RTH as Master Licencees.

As well as Canterbury as Official Sportswear Supplier, Gilbert Rugby as the Official Ball Supplier, Russell McVeagh as Official Law Firm, KPMG as Official Tournament Supplier of accounting and tax advisory services and Coca-Cola Tournament Supplier.