Williams & Kettle send support banner to Athens

Media Release
July 29, 2004

A two metre long banner with over 500 signatures from Williams & Kettle Limited staff and customers will fly high in Athens with good luck wishes for Olympic rowing gold contenders Caroline & Georgina Evers-Swindell.

Williams & Kettle Chief Executive Paul Macfie said following signing a sponsorship deal in May, staff and customers had wanted to further show their support of the twins.

The banner visited 35 stores nationwide including Hastings, the twin’s home city and Cambridge, their training base.

“We are all excited about the upcoming Olympics and we will be right behind the twins as they strive for gold,” Mr Macfie said.

As a further commitment to helping the twins win gold, they have helped finance Georgina’s partner Sam Earl to Athens.

Mr Macfie said Sam was an integral part of the support team that surrounds the twins, while he would also help transport the rowing teams’ boats from their base in Belgium to Athens.

Sam, a nationally ranked rower, had to withdraw from competitive rowing due to a back injury. He hopes to make a return in 2005.

“Thanks to W & K, I can go to Athens and support Georgina, Caroline and the rest of the New Zealand team.

“I can also help out in anyway possible – apart from jumping in the boat and helping them across the finishing line,” Sam said.

Rowing New Zealand Chief Executive Craig Ross said Williams & Kettle’s support for Caroline and Georgina will allow them to continue to be the very best they can.

“It is difficult for athletes in a sport that doesn’t command regular front page media attention to attract sponsorship, irrespective of their world champion status. Williams & Kettle has recognised this and Caroline and Georgina are deserving of their support,” said Mr Ross.

Williams & Kettle Chief Executive Paul Macfie signs a good luck banner at the Hastings branch for New Zealand Rowing twins Georgina and Caroline Evers-Swindell who will go for gold at the Olympics in Athens.

Background:

Williams & Kettle, founded in Hawke’s Bay in 1880, is a prominent stock and station company operating at the forefront of New Zealand’s rural servicing industry.

Key activities include livestock, wool broking, horticultural supplies, agricultural supplies, grain and seed, rural finance and real estate.

Based in Hawke’s Bay, Williams & Kettle employs over 400 staff and operates a network of 35 branches nationwide.

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