Unison’s Greatest Supporter Programme celebrates 15 years
Unison Networks (Unison) celebrates 15 years of junior sports and wellbeing sponsorship through its Greatest Supporter Programme across its network regions.
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, Jason Larkin said Unison is very proud of its continued support for young people in its regions and is excited to celebrate this season with its communities.
“We’re very proud of the continued impact of our Greatest Supporter programme and the relationships we’ve formed with sponsorship partners, whānau and communities during this sustained period - 15 years is a long time, and a lot has changed over the years.
“This season our extended Sideline Supporters, which will now include visits to netball and hockey grounds as well as football and rugby, and the newly introduced ‘The Good Sport’ competition are just some of the fun ways in which you can all get involved this year.
“As partners of our community, we’re 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 channel for us to deliver safety messages to keep our young people safe around electrical assets,” Mr Larkin said.
Central Football Chief Executive, Darren Mason said Unison’s Greatest Supporter programme is a significant part of the junior football season.
“We’re immensely grateful for Unison’s ongoing support of junior football in Hawke’s Bay. At the grassroots level it’s all about having fun and giving it a go, and it’s fantastic to have Unison partner with us for this.
“It’s fair to say that Unison has well and truly earned its place as our community’s greatest supporter after 15 years of backing junior sport across our regions! We’ve been involved the Greatest Supporter programme since 2018 and have relished every season since. The Sideline Supporters on a winter Saturday morning are a treat for our supporters, and our junior footballers always enjoy the various competitions throughout the season. The Unison Medal is a prized possession for those deserved recipients,” Mr Mason said.
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 2,000 children across Hawke’s Bay and Taupō will receive Greatest Supporter kit bags this year.
For more on Unison's Greatest Supporter programme click here.
*Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper has been harvested in a responsible manner.