One of Hawke’s Bays largest food producers and most iconic sports brands have teamed up with a new community support initiative which will help individuals, groups, clubs or schools each year.

The Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union today announced a major sponsor partnership with Hastings based McCain Foods alongside the newly established ‘McCain Big Give’ which will provide anyone an opportunity to submit ideas on ways that Magpies players, McCain and HBRU staff can support the community during the afternoon of the 1 October.

Hawkes Bay Rugby Commercial Manager Dan Somerville was delighted to have McCain join the HBRU major sponsor group with a focus on ways to support local communities.

“It’s fantastic to have McCain come on board with a commitment to helping provide pathways for boys and girls into rugby and ways for us together to support the Hawke’s Bay Community” Somerville said. “The McCain Big Give is a way for our players and staff to give back to the community who have fiercely cheered on the Magpies for the last 140 years”

Nominations for projects for The McCain Big Give can be submitted through the Magpies website or by contacting admin@hbrugby.co.nz. It might be that you would like to see the groups cleaning up local beaches, painting your nanas fence or planting trees at a local school, all ideas big or small will be considered. Nominations need to be submitted by 8am Monday 9th September, these will then be shortlisted with players and McCain staff choosing the most appropriate projects before planning and implementation.

“We are all excited to see what ideas are put forward and we welcome anyone from the public to join us on the day by participating in completing some awesome projects, anyone who helps will be invited to a special squad meet and greet as well as tickets to a home game” Somerville said.

“McCain is proud to support the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union and the broader Hawkes Bay community. We’ve been in New Zealand for 30 years and as a family business we’re committed to making a positive difference in the community. Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union plays an important role in the community and in inspiring the next generation of sporting heroes and community leaders. It’s a great organisation for us to be partnering with and we’re excited about the opportunities partnerships like these have for Hawkes Bay.”

McCain will also be supporting youth participation being the official rippa rugby and switch day sponsor which are key avenues for boys and girls to give rugby a go. Each season over 3000 kids throughout Hawke’s Bay participate in rippa rugby tournaments and the Switch Gala Day is run in conjunction with HB Netball where over 2000 participants switch traditional codes with boys playing netball and girls rugby.

“As a family business, McCain knows that nothing matters more in life than family. We’re thrilled to be supporting the Rippa Rugby and Switch Day initiatives because they’re fundamentally all about getting families involved and giving kids a go. That real sense of opportunity, family involvement, and inspiration is really what we’re all about. We’re thrilled to be supporting Rippa Rugby and Switch Day and we hope to see lots of families and kids take up the opportunities these initiatives provide.”

Get your nominations in for the McCain Big Give now at https://www.sporty.co.nz/magpies/mccain-magpies-big-give

Article added: Tuesday 27 August 2024