Kicking off another junior sports season with Unison’s Greatest Supporter Programme
Hawke's Bay Hockey General Manager, Andi Leydesdorff and Community Pathway & Events Manager, Emily Gaddum with the Unison Greatest Supporter kit bags and bottles.
Unison Networks (Unison) is kicking off the 16th year of its junior sports and wellbeing sponsorship through its Greatest Supporter Programme.
Beginning with junior rugby in 2009, Unison’s Greatest Supporter Programme has evolved to include over 12,000 children in Hawke’s Bay, Taupō and Rotorua through its involvement with junior rugby, netball, hockey, football and lake safety (Rotorua).
Unison’s longstanding Greatest Supporter Programme encourages children to participate in sport, providing sponsorship through funding and sports equipment for young rugby, netball, hockey and football players. The programme also sponsors various events and competitions through the winter season where children and their whānau can get involved.
Unison General Manager Commercial and Regulatory, Jason Larkin said Unison is very proud of its continued support for young people in its regions and is excited for the upcoming season.
“As a consumer-owned company, Unison is extremely proud to support and showcase events and organisations that support the wellbeing, health and development of the children in our regions. Our Greatest Supporter Programme is also a great avenue for delivering electrical safety messages that help to keep our young people safe around electrical assets.
“This season, Unison’s Sideline Supporters will be out at netball, hockey, football and rugby grounds again so look out for the Unison tent for a treat. Plus, our ‘Good Sport’ competition, that was introduced in 2023, will return alongside our ‘Great Photo’ competition. These are just some of the fun ways in which you can all get involved this year.
“We look forward to celebrating the children in our regions with the Unison Medal for demonstrating hard work, discipline, and fair play on and off the field. It’s very important to us to recognise these values and the positive impact they have on their teams at our annual Medal Ceremonies which will be held in August,” said Mr Larkin.
Hawke’s Bay Hockey General Manager, Andi Leydesdorff said Unison’s Greatest Supporter Programme continues to be a very important part of the junior hockey season.
“We're truly thankful for Unison’s support of junior hockey in Hawke’s Bay. Their partnership has brought lots of fun and opportunities to our young players for over a decade, making a significant difference at the grassroots level.
“The Sideline Supporters on a chilly winter Saturday morning are always a highlight for our supporters, and our junior hockey players always look forward to the various competitions held throughout the season. The Unison Medal is also a treasured award for those who earn it,” said Mrs Leydesdorff.
In delivering on its vision to lead a sustainable energy future, Unison’s branded kit bags are made from eco-friendly recycled PET* and distributed to new entrant players to carry their gear right throughout their junior sporting years. The kit bags are stocked with sustainable stainless steel drink bottles, and brochures promoting safety around electricity – all printed on FSC** paper.
Around 2,500 children across Hawke’s Bay, Taupō and Rotorua will receive Greatest Supporter kit bags this year.
For more on Unison's Greatest Supporter Programme click here.
*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.