From the power lines to the sidelines – Unison’s back as your community’s Greatest Supporter
Hawke's Bay junior netballers with this year's Unison Greatest Supporter kit bags.
Unison Networks (Unison) is proud to launch the 17th year of its junior sports and wellbeing sponsorship through its Greatest Supporter Programme.
What began in 2009 with junior rugby has grown to reach around 12,000 young people across Hawke’s Bay, Taupō, and Rotorua every year. Over the years, the programme has expanded to include junior rugby, netball, hockey, football, and lake safety initiatives in Rotorua.
Unison’s Greatest Supporter Programme encourages kids to stay safe around electricity and to get active by providing sports equipment and funding to junior rugby, netball, hockey, and football players, as well as lake safety participants. The programme also sponsors various winter events, offering children and their whānau plenty of opportunities to get involved.
Unison General Manager Commercial and Regulatory, Jason Larkin said Unison is thrilled to continue its support for youth in the region and is looking forward to the upcoming season.
“As a consumer-owned company, we’re extremely proud to stand by our communities and support initiatives that promote the safety, wellbeing and development of children. The Greatest Supporter Programme is a fantastic platform to share important electrical safety messages that help keep our tamariki safe around electrical assets.
“This year, we’ll once again have our Sideline Supporters at netball, hockey, football, and rugby grounds – be sure to visit our Unison tent for some treats. We’ll also bring back our ‘Good Sport’ competition, alongside the popular ‘Great Photo’ competition, giving everyone a chance to get involved in fun ways,” Mr Larkin said.
Unison also looks forward to awarding the Unison Medal for outstanding demonstrations of hard work, discipline, and fair play, which will be celebrated at the annual Medal Ceremonies in August.
Hawke’s Bay Netball General Manager, Aaron Good expressed his gratitude for Unison’s ongoing support.
“We’re really grateful for Unison’s long-standing commitment to junior netball in our community. Their contribution has made a huge difference, and we’re excited for another great season ahead.
“The Unison kit bags, provided to first time participants, are always a highlight and are back in their classic blue and orange colours. We encourage players to take care of them so they can carry them along on their whole junior sport journey,” Mr Good said.
In keeping with its vision for a sustainable energy future, Unison’s eco-friendly Greatest Supporter kit bags, made from recycled PET*, will be given to new players to carry their gear throughout their junior sporting journey. The bags are filled with stainless steel drink bottles and electrical safety messages printed on FSC** certified paper.
This year, approximately 1,900 children across Hawke’s Bay and Taupō will receive the Greatest Supporter kit bags.
For more information about Unison's Greatest Supporter Programme, visit www.unison.co.nz/greatest-supporter.
*Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a form of polyester. In New Zealand, PET packaging is identified by the number 1 on or near the bottom.
**Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper has been harvested in a responsible manner.