Black Ferns at heart of 2degrees New Zealand Rugby partnership
The partnership will see 2degrees become the Official Telecommunications Partner of New Zealand Rugby (NZR).
It embeds women’s rugby into 2degrees’ ongoing commitment to women’s sport and represents a significant investment in the future of the women's game. The agreement will see 2degrees champion women’s rugby at a range of levels of the game, including the Black Ferns, Black Ferns XV, Black Ferns Sevens, and New Zealand Under 18 Girls programmes.
This sits alongside 2degrees’ current sponsorship directly with the four Sky Super Rugby Aupiki clubs.
2degrees Chief Executive Mark Callander says the partnership reflects a strong alignment between the organisation’s commitment to Fighting for Fair and New Zealand Rugby’s dedication to growing opportunities across the game.
“The opportunity to be the telecommunications partner for New Zealand Rugby is exciting for 2degrees and highlights the credibility and capability we have connecting leading NZ institutions.
“New Zealand Rugby reaches every corner of the motu, from local clubs and school fields right through to packed stadiums and the international stage. This partnership gives us the ability to invest in one of New Zealand’s most iconic sporting organisations at a scale we’ve never done before.
“I’m incredibly proud of how we are able to strengthen our commitment and continue our work backing women’s sport. The 2degrees team has been working
hard with a range of sports and codes for years, and today’s announcement signifies our ongoing commitment.”
2degrees’ ongoing commitment to women’s sport includes its support of the 2degrees Tall Ferns, Basketball New Zealand’s Girls Got Game programme, all four Sky Super Rugby Aupiki teams, the Tania Dalton Foundation, and the 2degrees SupportHER Club, which champions positive sporting environments and supports confidence and participation for girls in sport.
Black Ferns Head Coach Whitney Hansen says partnerships like this play an important role in strengthening the future of women’s rugby in Aotearoa.
“We know that inspiring the next generation starts with creating opportunities at different levels of the game. Having partners who believe in that journey and want to invest in players from our early representative programmes through to the Black Ferns sends a really powerful message about the future of women’s rugby in New Zealand.”
New Zealand Rugby Chief Commercial Officer Chris Brown says the partnership represents an important milestone for women's rugby.
“This is an exciting partnership because it focuses on the future of women's rugby. Having a partner invest across the women’s pathway, from New Zealand Rugby’s women’s development programmes through to the Black Ferns, is a first for us, and demonstrates the growing strength and appeal of the women's game.
“2degrees has a proven commitment to supporting women and girls in sport, and its ambition aligns closely with ours. Together, we're helping create more opportunities for players, strengthening the pathway and ensuring the next generation can see a clear future in rugby.”
The partnership between 2degrees and New Zealand Rugby also sees the telco become the Official Presenting Partner of Contact Ready, a national introductory programme made especially for teenage girls aged 12 to 17 years old who are new to rugby, in their first year of rugby, or playing non-contact versions of the game. The goal is to enhance player safety and confidence when transitioning into contact versions of rugby through learning the basics of correct technique.
