Countdown backs New Zealand Commonwealth Games team

Countdown to Glasgow!

Countdown backs New Zealand Commonwealth Games team

16 July 2014: New Zealanders will have the opportunity to send handwritten messages of support to their favourite athletes as part of Countdown’s sponsorship of the New Zealand Commonwealth Games team.

Today, ten Countdown stores are inviting local communities to sign New Zealand flags in store with messages of support for the 2014 Commonwealth Games team. The flags will then be sent to Glasgow, where they will hold pride of place at the Kiwi team’s base.

The flag signings are just one part of an ongoing sponsorship Countdown has put in place to support both the 2014 New Zealand Commonwealth Games team and the 2016 New Zealand Olympic team.

Countdown’s Managing Director, Dave Chambers, encourages customers to visit a participating store and show their support for athletes with a personal message.

“Countdown is proud to be the official partner of the New Zealand Commonwealth Games team. This is just the start of our partnership with the New Zealand Olympic Committee and we’re excited to be supporting our athletes at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and beyond this, the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio,” says Chambers.

“We’d love local communities to help us count down to the start of the Commonwealth Games by sharing their messages of support. We’re positive these messages will be a huge encouragement to Kiwi athletes competing in Glasgow,” Chambers adds.

Kereyn Smith, CEO of the New Zealand Olympic Committee, says the partnership with Countdown will play an important role in helping New Zealand athletes succeed.

“We’re delighted to welcome Countdown on board as Commonwealth Games and Olympic partner,” says Smith. “Their support will help athletes achieve their goals on the world stage.

“We’re also excited about the opportunity for New Zealanders to show their support for the team. By signing a flag at a participating Countdown Kiwis can really show our athletes how much the country is behind them. The flags will be proudly displayed at the athletes’ village in Glasgow.”

The flags will be available to sign at the following stores today:

· Countdown Regent, Whangarei

· Countdown Grey Lynn

· Countdown Rotorua

· Countdown Victoria Ave, Wanganui

· Countdown Masterton

· Countdown Newtown

· Countdown Blenheim

· Countdown Ferrymead, Christchurch

· Countdown Dunedin Central

· Countdown Invercargill

The 2014 Commonwealth Games officially open on Thursday 24 July at 9am.

ENDS

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