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Double Trouble: Colin Slade dives over for one of his two tries - Source: Photosport
New Zealand-owned building suppliers' co-operative ITM will sponsor the premier national provincial competition this year through to 2012, the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) has announced on Monday.
ITM will be the new title sponsor for the national domestic competition taking over the sponsorship from Air New Zealand which has decided to focus its energy on supporting the All Blacks.
NZRU Chief Executive Steve Tew had this to say about the new sponsorship in a statement:
"ITM is a very parochial Kiwi-owned co-operative and they are very proud of their provincial reach across the country. Given the pride and support many communities have for their provincial teams, ITM is well placed to be at the centre of this competition.
"It's an exciting time for ITM to come on board. We saw a great surge in support for the domestic competition last year, and the challenge this year will be to build on that and we are really forward to working with ITM to achieve just that," Mr Tew said.
The NZRU on Monday also released the competition draw for the 2010 ITM Cup, which gets under way with Taranaki v Northland at Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth on Thursday 29 August.
This year is also North Harbour's 25th anniversary, and the union kicks off their 2010 season by hosting the traditional battle of the bridge match against neighbours, Auckland on Sunday 1 August.
Otago will get the first opportunity to play Southland for the Ranfurly Shield in Week 2 of the ITM Cup. The ITM Cup Final will be played on Friday, 5 November.
Tew said: "We are looking forward to another great season of provincial rugby and providing communities all over New Zealand an opportunity to show their support for their teams."
