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Bartercard sponsorship rescues White Sox World Champs buildup

Thursday 12 November 2009, 1:08PM

By Bartercard NZ

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New Zealand’s women’s softball team, the White Sox, will compete in the Gilleys Shield, the Australian interstate championship, over the next three months, thanks to a strategically timed sponsorship from Bartercard New Zealand.

Learning that the team’s campaign was threatened by lack of funds, Bartercard came to the rescue with a crucial sponsorship worth $6,000 “trade dollars” to make the trip possible.

This is not the first time the company has come to the aid of a sports team. In April it ensured the survival of the Christchurch Cougars NBL basketball club. It is also a major sponsor of the Burger King NZ Breakers in the Australian NBL competition and the Bartercard National Provincial Premiership in rugby league.

The White Sox’s objective is a medal finish at the 2010 World Championships to be held in Oklahoma City and the Australian tournament is an important part of the team’s development programme.

“The Gilleys Shield will provide an ideal opportunity to gauge the development work done so far and the requirements for the 12 month run up to the Worlds,” says Dane Dougan, General Manager of New Zealand Softball.

The Gilleys Shield is played over three weekends in November, December and January: November 13 -15 November, Blacktown Softball Centre, Sydney NSW December 11-13, Waverly Softball Centre, wheelers Hall, VIC January 6-9 2010, Redlands Softball Centre, Ormiston QLD.