Fisher And Paykel Signs On Singapore Netball

Media Release
March 2006

Sponsorship presents a golden opportunity for Singapore Netball to capture Silver Fern’s glory

Following the success of Fisher & Paykel’s partnership with Netball New Zealand, the trusted appliance brand has signed a three year sponsorship deal with Singapore’s elite netball squad destined for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne this month.

The Fisher & Paykel brand is gaining notoriety in the Singaporean market, with sales of the company’s refrigerators and washing machines growing steadily. Said Graham Ball, Fisher & Paykel’s General Manager for the region, “the opportunity to align the brand locally with a winning team and build upon the company’s respected association with netball represents a smart move.

“Women make decisions on the purchase of our appliances making women’s sport an ideal vehicle for raising the profile of our brand,” he said. “But aside from that, our successful sponsorship of the world champion Silver Ferns in our home market sets an excellent precedent for us to follow,” he said.

Singapore’s national team is on the move, improving enormously since the organisation appointed head coach and proud Kiwi, Kate Carpenter two years ago.

Carpenter’s team earned the right to represent Asia at the Commonwealth Games and at the 2007 World Championships to be held in Fiji, when they were crowned Asian Champions in September last year winning matches against tough local competition, including Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

“It’s the first time Singapore has held the ‘Asian Champion’ title,” said Carpenter, “and it means a lot to the girls as Asia can send only one team to compete in the Games. This year, the honour is ours,” she said.

Singapore plays world number three Jamaica in the opening match of the Melbourne Games on March 17. Says Carpenter, “…our aim is to achieve goal targets on attack and defence and stay competitive within the game.”

Fisher & Paykel’s sponsorship breaks new ground for Singapore Netball - never before has the national team had a dedicated sponsor.

New branded gear including uniforms, bibs and equipment, and an invigorated spirit to win is the upside of the newly acquired sponsorship, says Carpenter.

“Fisher & Paykel’s support brings professionalism to the sport in Singapore, and enables us to travel abroad, participating in training tours, gaining knowledge about what’s happening globally and giving the girls confidence in their abilities,” she said.

With utmost respect for the world champion Silver Ferns, the Singapore squad have just completed a training tour throughout New Zealand, playing local teams in Christchurch and Auckland as part of their Games preparation.

Results for the tour were as follows:
v Canterbury Flames lost -17 - 71 (11/2)
v Canterbury Flames lost- 21 - 63 (12/2)
v Counties Manukau won -47 - 37 (15/2)
v Northern Force lost-57 - 30 (16/2)
v Northern Force elite -won 47 - 37 (17/2)
v Aotearoa Maori -lost 38 - 47

Netball is the number one women’s sport in Singapore. The Fisher & Paykel sponsorship deal totals SGD$45,000 over three years.

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