Badminton to Showcase Auckland and NZ to the World

27 February 2014

Badminton to Showcase Auckland and NZ to the World

15-19 April 2014, North Shore Events Centre

International badminton will return to New Zealand following confirmation today of SKYCITY as Principal Partner of the SKYCITY New Zealand Badminton Open for a second consecutive year in a tournament that will be seen by millions in Asia alone.

Classified as a Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Grand Prix Tournament, the SKYCITY NZ Open will be hosted at the North Shore Events Centre from 15 to 19 April.

The SKYCITY NZ Open is a rare opportunity close to home for the New Zealanders and Australians to chase world ranking points, with qualifying for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and 2014 World Championships in Denmark next August top of mind.

SKYCITY returns as principal partner and official hotel for the tournament and SKYCITY Auckland General Manager John Mortensen says the SKYCITY NZ Badminton Open is a fantastic event that brings world-class players to New Zealand.

“We are proud to return as the principal sponsor of this event, which is truly reflective of not only Auckland’s diverse community but also our guests here at SKYCITY Auckland.

“We have seen this event gain real traction within the Asian community and also further afield, and it’s great to be part of the team that brings this growing group of international athletes to New Zealand’s biggest city.”

Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) is a valued major partner of this year’s event.

ATEED Chief Executive Brett O’Riley says the organisation recognises the opportunities to market Auckland to a fascinated and badminton crazy Asian audience through live television into and beyond Asia.

“This international event offers a great platform to showcase Auckland to the important Asian investor, education and visitor markets. Major events like this are key to enhancing our reputation as one of the world’s most liveable cities and demonstrating that Auckland is truly a place where the show never stops.”

Event Director Julie Carrel is delighted to have both SKYCITY and ATEED on board alongside other sponsors in an event that truly recognises and enhances Auckland’s reputation as a multi-cultural city – and one that is fast becoming known as a major events city and vibrant visitor destination.

“We are delighted to have secured the support of SKYCITY and ATEED to the SKYCITY New Zealand Badminton Open; both are crucial partners to the success of what is a significant international event for Auckland.

“We will also this year enjoy the support of three new partners in OnePure as official water supplier, e-babycare as a major sponsor and X-TRM as official equipment and apparel sponsor while the New Zealand Chinese Sports Association is also investing in the tournament.

“All our partners and sponsors see the value in partnering with an event with such a strong presence in the Asian community, both here during the tournament and overseas thanks to the television and media coverage.”

The SKYCITY New Zealand Badminton Open will attract an international field of players with many from Asia, all seeking a tournament victory and the chance to climb the world rankings. Entries close on Tuesday 18 March with the final list and world rankings of players available to the media on Friday 21 March.

The tournament will be broadcast live in New Zealand on SKY Sport on Saturday 19 April from 1pm to 5pm and will beam live into Asia to Southern China, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines with other markets still to be confirmed. Already however, confirmed coverage will reach over 15 million households.

For further information visit www.nzbadmintonopen.com

X-TRM is a badminton equipment and apparel company based in Taiwan, and returns for the second consecutive year as the official equipment and apparel sponsor. X-TRM have also partnered with Badminton New Zealand to be their official apparel and shuttle provider for 2014.

ONEPURE is the official water supplier of the SKYCITY New Zealand Badminton Open 2014 and are currently exporting their product into Southern China.

ONEPURE’s philosophy is simple: to curate the world’s best water and supply it to everyone who values the benefits that this water brings. ONEPURE water comes from New Zealand, at the bottom of the southern hemisphere, and as far away from the polluted north as it is possible to get. It originates from a pristine underground aquifer and using the cleanest, simplest means possible, is bottled at source.

Every drop of ONEPURE starts as rain or snow high up in n natural forest in the Hawkes Bay of New Zealand, travelling down through the forest, through pristine streams and rivers, until it slowly collects in the vast mineral rich aquifer deep underground, before being forced up to ground level via natural springs. This amazing journey - which can take up to 50 years - both enriches the water with a perfect balance of minerals and cleanses it of harmful pollutants, and is the secret to

e-babycare offers a sanctuary for mothers and babies by understanding their needs and offering the very best products possible. We demand only the purest ingredients selected from the pastures and fields of New Zealand. We apply advanced modern nutritional knowledge to develop and formulate our product range to support optimal infant growth and nutrition. Our e-care quality assurance system ensures an unquestionable quality and an unprecedented level of confidence for our customers. We care about babies.

New Zealand Chinese Sports Association Incorporated (NZCSA) was involved in the event in 2013 however have increased their involvement this year by becoming a major partner.

NZCSA is formed up by a group of sports enthusiast, and sponsored by a number of businesses and individuals in New Zealand and China who are keen to support the development of the Sports Association by sharing their sporting skills and knowledge in sports management and training.

The philosophy of the NZCSA is to organise sports events to attract the participation of the Asian communities either old or new migrants to compete with local clubs or groups. Through the sports competitions, we hope we can help the New Zealand Chinese to improve the communication, co-operation, mutual understanding of different cultures of the multi-nations of New Zealand, and strengthen the esteem and self-esteem as an individual and a member of a sports team.

ENDS

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