New Zealand’s Rugby Referees Agree New Sponsorship Deal

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) and Pink Batts announced today that the New Zealand’s referees will be stepping out in pink this year thanks to an exciting three-year sponsorship deal which includes naming rights for the Heartland Championship.

Pink Batts will sponsor New Zealand’s referees for the Investec Super Rugby, ITM Cup and renamed Pink Batts Heartland Championship.

The deal means a new strip for referees with the pink socks, shorts and shirt uniform making a debut next weekend in round two of Investec Super Rugby when the Highlanders host the reigning champions, the Chiefs in Dunedin and the Hurricanes host the Blues in Wellington. The referees’ new pink kit will carry the catch-line ‘Another Good Call’.

NZRU Chief Executive Steve Tew welcomed the new partnership as a great acknowledgement of the role referees play in rugby.

“We are delighted to have Pink Batts join our rugby team of sponsors and they do so in a significant way through sponsorship of referees across three levels of competition.

“We’re also thrilled Pink Batts is taking on naming rights for the Pink® Batts® Heartland Championship which hasn’t had a title sponsor for some years. This will certainly help the profile of what is an important tier in our domestic competitions.” 

Pink Batts General Manager Tony Te Au said they were proud to get in behind referees and show support for the guys on the field that are often the unsung heroes of any match.

“Referees are crucial to each and every game of rugby; they are the backbone of the game. As a company we wanted to get in behind them and show our support – not just visually but behind the scenes as well.

“We’re thrilled that because of our iconic colour the referees will really stand out and be noticed. And we’re working with the NZRU to develop additional mentoring opportunities for refs,” he said.

Pink Batts National Marketing Manager Dion Hurinui said: “To further show our support for the refs, we’re inviting fans to join the ‘Pink Batts ‘Another Good Call Movement’. We have some really fun, interactive activities planned for the games that will celebrate the refs.”