PowerNet Limited announced today that the Company’s sponsorship of the Tour of Southland will continue for a further 2 years.
This is the tenth year that PowerNet has supported the Tour as the major sponsor. This sponsorship will now continue through until the 2012 event.
PowerNet Chief Executive, Martin Walton, indicated that some of the reasons that PowerNet continues to sponsor the Tour is because of the genuine support from the PowerNet Directors for the event. “The PowerNet Tour is good for the Company. The Tour travels throughout the regions that we serve and receives universal support from throughout Southland which is good branding for us”. Another consideration is the number of PowerNet staff that are passionate about cycling. “We not only assist the PowerNet Tour as the major sponsor but also enter a team in the event that the staff manage and support”.
“The PowerNet Tour provides us with an unparalleled branding opportunity”. Recent statistics show that cycling is a significant recreational sport in New Zealand with more New Zealanders purchasing bikes in the last year than vehicles. This fits with PowerNet’s philosophy to reduce the Company’s impact on the environment where possible and the Company’s healthy choice programme which encourages healthy lifestyles for staff.
Bruce Ross, Tour Director, said that “today’s announcement was absolutely fantastic for the immediate future of the Tour. PowerNet has proven to be an excellent partner and has assisted greatly in the development of the Tour over recent years. We look forward to continuing this partnership leading into the 10th year of PowerNet’s involvement. We are expecting the same high calibre of cyclists and have already fielded interest from 3 international teams looking to finalise their calendar”.
Southlanders are spoilt for choice with the ability to follow top national and international cyclists in action at events throughout the year at the ILT Velodrome as well as during the first week in November at the PowerNet Tour of Southland. The Tour continues to be known as New Zealand’s premier road cycling event. The PowerNet Tour is friendly, professionally and safely managed and captures the interest, hearts and support of local communities, a phenomenon that Tour riders comment about each year.
This years PowerNet Tour will be held on the 1st – 6th November.