MasterCard All Blacks Roadshow back for a third year
Friday 18 June 2010, 11:12AM
By DraftFCB PR
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See the All Blacks as You’ve Never Seen Them Before
Auckland, 17 June 2010 - The All Blacks probably weren’t expecting wood sawing, gumboot throwing or waiter racing to be a part of their training schedule this year, but that’s exactly what some of the current All Blacks squad will be competing in over the next two months as they travel the country for the MasterCard All Blacks Roadshow.
Now in its third year, the MasterCard All Blacks Roadshow hosts a series of community events where local fans can get up close and personal with some of the current All Blacks and Rugby Legend, Buck Shelford, by competing in rugby challenges including; catching, try-scoring, kicking, passing and lineout skills.
Past Roadshows have seen members of the All Blacks squad and Buck visit 24 of New Zealand’s cities and towns competing against the fans in the rugby challenges. However, this year the Roadshow will visit 6 New Zealand towns famous in their own right for some rather unique activities.
Waipu, Tokoroa, Taihape, Reefton, Akaroa and Naseby will welcome the Roadshow and take on the All Blacks, not only at the Rugby challenges, but also their own local specialties - Caber Toss, Wood Sawing, Gumboot Throwing, Coal Shovelling, Waiter Racing and Curling.
These new local challenges will allow spectators to see some of the All Blacks as they’ve never seen them before!
All Black Captain, Richie McCaw says he’s once again delighted to be a part of the MasterCard All Blacks Roadshow.
“This is my third year as a MasterCard ambassador and I always look forward to the Roadshow – it’s a chance to meet our fans and get out amongst New Zealand communities.
“Even though I might be shown up on some of the local challenges this year, I’m proud to be a part of this wonderful opportunity thanks to MasterCard.”
All Black Legend, Buck Shelford, says he’s particularly looking forward to trying the Caber Toss.
“With my Scottish heritage, you’d think I might have a shot winning, but you never know! Either way it’s going to be great fun taking on the locals and the All Blacks at all these new challenges.”
Former All Black, Highland Games record holder and 2010 MasterCard All Blacks Roadshow competitor, Richard Guy believes the key to one of the local challenges - the Caber Toss, is to remain focused.
“The key to tossing cabers is balance, you need to control its every move so you can toss accurately.
“It will be amusing to see amateurs take on this challenge. I think even an All Black will find this sport difficult.”
Stuart McKinlay, MasterCard New Zealand Country Manager says the roadshow is exciting for everyone involved, especially with rugby fever building up towards the Rugby World Cup in 2011, for which MasterCard is Worldwide Partner and official payment system.
“The MasterCard All Blacks Roadshow is a great reminder of what the All Blacks mean to our communities.
“To be able to bring our national heroes up close and personal with some of their biggest fans is such a pleasure.
“We can’t wait to see the local residents take on the All Blacks and we’re eagerly anticipating the outcome – let’s hope they go easy on them… and by “they” I mean the residents.”
For more information visit www.mastercardroadshow.co.nz
Dates and Locations
Sunday 27 June, 11am -3.30pm
Tokoroa - Wood Sawing
Memorial Sports Ground, Mossop Road
Sunday 4 July, 11am- 3.30pm
Taihape - Gumboot throwing
War Memorial Park,
Kokako Street
Sunday 11 July, 11am - 3.30pm
Waipu - Caber Toss
Caledonian Park,
The Centre, Waipu
Sunday 25 July - 11am - 3.30pm
Reefton - Coal shovelling
Reefton Racecourse, Racecourse Road
Sunday 1 August, 11am - 3.30pm
Naseby -Curling
Sunday 8 August, 11am-3.30pm
Akaroa - Waiter racing
Akaroa Recreational Ground,
Rue Lavaud
ENDS
Please contact Liselle Finlay on Liselle.finlay@draftfcb.com for high-res photos
About MasterCard Worldwide
MasterCard Worldwide advances global commerce by providing a critical economic link among financial institutions, businesses, cardholders and merchants worldwide. As a franchisor, processor and advisor, MasterCard develops and markets payment solutions, processes over 22 billion transactions each year, and provides industry-leading analysis and consulting services to financial-institution customers and merchants. Powered by the MasterCard Worldwide Network and through its family of brands, including MasterCard®, Maestro® and Cirrus®, MasterCard serves consumers and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. For more information go to www.mastercard.com. Follow us on Twitter:@mastercardnews.
MasterCard & Rugby World Cup 2011
MasterCard Worldwide is a Worldwide Partner and the official payment system of Rugby World Cup 2011.
The company leverages the platform to further deliver shareholder value by creating exclusive business-building opportunities for its customer financial institutions, while building MasterCard brand affinity by offering priceless experiences to MasterCard cardholders. As part of its agreement, MasterCard secures a comprehensive rights and benefits package that allows the company to deliver value to customer financial institutions, merchants and cardholders, including the ability to access “Priceless” experiences linked to Rugby World Cup 2011.
This year, any MasterCard card holder that spends and registers on www.mastercard.co.nz/rwc2011 can enter to win two tickets to every single Rugby World Cup 2011 game that their favourite team plays in; from the first kick-off, to the final whistle of their last game. There are three prize packages to be won. To be in the draw, all cardholders need to do is register on mastercard.co.nz/rwc2011 then every time they use their MasterCard between 1 June and 10 September 2010, they’ll go into the draw to win.
Rugby World Cup is the crown jewel of the sport and a prominent global property – with television coverage of Rugby World Cup 2007 spanning more than 200 territories, reaching a cumulative audience of 4 billion viewers. Rugby World Cup 2011 is being held in New Zealand for the first time since the inaugural event in 1987. Teams representing 20 nations will compete in 48 matches across 13 host cities between 9 September and 23 October 2011.
Beyond its expertise in world-class sponsorship marketing, MasterCard also has a rich heritage of supporting the sport of Rugby in the host country. Over the past six years MasterCard has been a sponsor of the New Zealand All Blacks team. To see more on MasterCard and RWC visit www.mastercard.co.nz/RWC2011
MasterCard & Sponsorships
MasterCard boasts a diverse portfolio of business-building sponsorship platforms. The brand has expanded its sponsorship strategy to include alliances in lifestyle, entertainment, in addition to a traditional footprint in sports. Today, MasterCard’s sponsorship strategy includes an array of strategic relationships each designed to drive shareholder value, build business for customer financial institutions and provide unique priceless experiences for MasterCard cardholders.
Media contacts:
Gemma Doughty, (09) 361 8649, 021 467 818 gemma.doughty@draftfcb.com