NSW Rugby League Scores New Naming Rights Partner & Five-Year Bankwest Stadium Deal
NSW Rugby League’s premier competition has welcomed apparel brand, Canterbury, as the leagues new naming rights sponsor, whilst also securing a five-year deal to play the Grand Final at Bankwest Stadium in Western Sydney.
The decision by Canterbury to replace Intrust Super and join forces with the NSWRL for the premier competition marks a historic move, as it is the first time a traditional apparel partner has sponsored the naming rights of a competition.
“The Canterbury Cup NSW goes from strength to strength every season and this new partnership with Canterbury reflects that,” NSWRL Chief Executive, David Trodden, said.
“It has proven to be a wonderful breeding ground for some of the rising stars of Rugby League and the games are traditionally high-scoring and entertaining contests.
“We expect 2019 to be the best season yet for the Canterbury Cup NSW and I can’t wait for the opening round to kick off.”
NSWRL Head of Commercial and Digital, Jodie Cross, said the NSWRL was thrilled to extend their partnership with Canterbury after their involvement with the Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues in 2018.
Canterbury produced an innovative skin-tight jersey design that contributed to the first NSW State of Origin series success since 2014 and has also designed an alternate strip the team will use for the second game of the 2019 series in Perth.
“This is the first time in Australian sport that a traditional apparel partner has sponsored the naming rights of a competition,” Cross said.
“NSWRL prides ourselves on being innovative and we think this partnership is a really innovative marketing approach.”
“Canterbury is a strong international footy brand and we are thrilled to extend our partnership with them.”
Bankwest Stadium CEO, Daryl Kerry is excited to see NSWRL use the new state-of-the-art Bankwest Stadium in Western Sydney to host the Grand Final of the Canterbury Cup NSW and three of its other major competitions – Jersey Flegg, Ron Massey and Sydney Shield – for the next five years.
“Canterbury Cup NSW Grand Final Day has become a special day on the Rugby League calendar and it will be bigger and better than ever in the 30,000-seat Bankwest Stadium,” Kerry said
“This is a Stadium that has been built for the fans and the event experience is going to be exceptional.
“Fans will immediately notice how close their seats are to the action and the steeper grandstand design, but there are a number of other initiatives that will make a day at the footy easier and a lot of fun.
“The NSWRL season kick-off is upon us and we will watch the action with great interest knowing it will ultimately end with Grand Final Day at the new Bankwest Stadium in September.”
The opening round of the Canterbury Cup NSW will see South Sydney Rabbitohs – who are making their return to competition in their own colours for the first time since 2006 – against their former feeder club and fellow foundation club, the North Sydney Bears, on Sunday, 17 March.
