Harcourts Highland teams up with Otago Rugby Football Union

Media Release from Harcourts Highland Real Estate
August 19, 2015

Proudly Otago – Harcourts Highland Real Estate teams up with Otago Rugby Football Union

Standout industry leader Harcourts Highland Real Estate has teamed up with the Otago Rugby Football Union (ORFU) to support elite and upcoming sporting talent in the region.

The region’s largest and longest-established real estate franchise is thrilled to have signed on the dotted line as a major sponsor of the ORFU as its ITM Cup campaign gets underway for 2015.

With offices in Queenstown, Dunedin, Balclutha, Wanaka, Cromwell and Alexandra, Highland Real Estate will be a major sponsor of the ORFU for two years.

The group already has a strong history of supporting sports programmes and the community. It donates sponsorship for Queenstown junior rugby, netball, cricket and children’s golf and Otago cricket, as well as other worthy causes such as Cromwell High School and the children’s hospital in Dunedin. It also helps facilitate community events to fundraise for schools, kindergartens, family centres and the Halberg Trust.
ORFU General Manager Richard Kinley said the union was “thrilled” to partner with the Harcourts Highland Group.
“This alliance is an ideal fit for both organisations, with Otago Rugby’s 33 clubs and Harcourts’ six branch offices spread across Otago sharing the same values and goals,” he said.
“We strive to be the best we can, through providing a high standard of service to meet our customer and member needs.”
A highlight of the sponsorship arrangement is the Harcourts Rugby Ambassador programme, which will enable elite players to visit local schools, particularly in rural areas, helping inspire and encourage Otago’s next generation of sports stars.

The players will also speak in regional high schools, educating youngsters and aspiring athletes on the importance of good nutrition and exercise.

The Harcourts medal is a new initiative and will be presented to the best and fairest player of all junior teams across the region at a special event, while a Harcourts ‘Kid of the Week’ programme will have benefits including a family ticket to the rugby and a signed Otago cap.

Harcourts is also supporting a hard hitting sideline behaviour programme, which includes signage, social media campaigns and education programmes to promote positive behaviour for sports supporters young and old.

Harcourts Managing Director Kelvin Collins said all 100 staff members around Otago were “immensely proud” to be sponsoring the ORFU.

“We’re a relatively small company to be taking on this major sponsorship agreement but this enables us to say this is OUR team and OUR province and back it to the hilt,” he said.

“We’ve always boxed above our weight so we couldn’t be happier to be sitting alongside Speight’s and Canterbury clothing as one of just three major sponsors.

“The Harcourts logo will sit proudly on the ITM Cup playing jerseys, but we’re just as excited, if not more so, about helping develop grassroots level rugby and the ORFU stars of tomorrow.

“Harcourts has a very strong family and community ethos and we’ve sponsored so many children’s sports clubs and events over the years. Now we can take that to a higher level, right across the region.”

Mr Collins pointed out that the Union was a non-profit system.

“So many trainers, parents and dedicated people volunteer their time, but clubs are often short on financial support at this level and that’s where we’re keen to help.

“With our history and offices across the region, we’re deep-rooted in these communities and committed to their development, particularly when it comes to sport and young people,” he said.

ENDS

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