Ford and New Zealand Cricket announce extended partnership

New Zealand Cricket and Ford New Zealand today announced an extended partnership that will see the country’s premier one-day competition renamed The Ford Trophy.

Ford is already a well-known name in cricket being official sponsors of the six Major Association teams competing in men’s domestic cricket and the Official Vehicle Supplier to New Zealand Cricket, the BLACKCAPS and the White Ferns.

The distinctive Ford blue oval features prominently on the domestic teams’ playing kit and the BLACKCAPS training gear with Ford now adding naming rights for the 50-over competition to their agreement.

Ford’s Managing Director Neale Hill said he was confident that the relationship between Ford and cricket would continue to yield benefits to both parties.

“Ford has always valued its relationship with New Zealand Cricket and we’re especially excited and proud to be introducing the Ford Trophy,” said Hill. “As fans ourselves, it’s great to be a part of New Zealand Cricket but as a national organisation it’s also another way for Ford to give back to New Zealand.”

New Zealand Cricket’s Chief Executive Justin Vaughan said NZC and its six Major Associations were delighted that cricket had consolidated their relationship with a global organisation of Ford’s reputation and expertise.

“Cricket has already benefitted from the investment Ford has made in the sport at both domestic and international levels.

“To be able to link the highly regarded Ford name to our one-day competition – which has a rich tradition of developing our best players – further strengthens that partnership.

“Ford’s commitment to quality and innovation align closely with the demands of domestic one-day cricket.

“Everyone involved in domestic cricket is eagerly anticipating the inaugural season of Ford Trophy action,” he said.

The first match of the Ford Trophy for the 2011-12 season will be played on November 25, 2011, with the final scheduled for February 12, 2012. All matches will be scored live on the MA websites and blackcaps.co.nz with commentary available on Radio Sport. SKY will provide live coverage of both preliminary finals and the final.

The Ford Trophy schedule - http://www.blackcaps.co.nz/schedule/mens-one-day/112/series.aspx