All Black secrets safe w state-of-the-art radios

Media release
For immediate release

All Blacks’ secrets safe with new state-of-the-art Tait P25 Radios

Tait supplies New Zealand’s national rugby team with digital P25 radios and accessories.

[See... Images: All Blacks and Tait Radios (PDF)]

September 4, 2007

CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND - Portable radios from Tait Electronics Limited are ensuring crucial match tactics of All Blacks management are kept well away from prying ears during their rugby matches in France and other international tests.

The TP9100 radios provide a vital communications link between All Blacks coaching staff who are spread between the stands, the sidelines and the changing rooms during a match.

As stadiums become bigger and crowds louder, the All Blacks need radios that can filter out unwanted background noise.

All Blacks Manager Darren Shand says, “We play in large stadiums of up to 100,000 people that are really loud. Often the messages sent amongst the users are critical, so that superior digital sound clarity of the Tait radios and the personalised accessories are really important.”

Tait Electronics Limited Managing Director Michael Chick says, “Tait is proud of its ongoing and enduring relationship with the All Blacks and pleased to offer the most sophisticated portable radios in the Tait portfolio.”

Crucial information passed securely

Importantly the All Blacks need radios with encrypted technology so that no-one can listen in on their game-day tactics.

Shand says, “There’s information that’s sensitive enough that it could alter the course of the match if other people had it, so the encryption capability from Tait is a critical factor.”

“On any given match day, secure, instant and clear communications could make the difference between winning and losing. We put so much time and energy into getting things right, we want to ensure everything is well managed and well prepared. This includes using the best radios available,” added Shand.

Accurate and secure communications are vital for All Blacks management. Coaches may need to call in crucial substitutions to staff working near the sidelines or medical staff could need to relay vital player status updates during matches.

The digital encryption supplied by Tait ensures signal will neither deteriorate within the coverage area, nor will transmission of messages be delayed.

Getting The Right Fit for the All Blacks

Tait equipped the All Blacks with nine TP9100 portables with batteries and accessories in two transportable Pelican cases.

Each member of the All Blacks management team has different needs when it comes to accessories; some stay in one place throughout the match while others need to be able to roam the stadium. Tait provides each of the All Blacks management with an accessory to enhance the radio’s communications.

For example, All Blacks doctor Deb Robinson spends much of her time running the sidelines and attending to the players on the field, so she relies on an accessory that doesn’t interfere with her role.

She says the combination of better sound quality and an earpiece allows her to simply concentrate on her job.

“In top level rugby everything happens very, very quickly for us, and for the players on the field. The Tait radios have made things so much easier,” Deb says. “The Tait P25 radio is a nice lightweight unit for when I’m running around.”

A growing reputation, a force to be reckoned with

Project 25 (P25) is a standard that was created by and for public safety organisations. Tait’s P25 radios are being used by emergency service teams throughout the world including police forces in Canada, United States, New Zealand and Brazil.

However, Michael Chick says the superior audio quality, toughness and encryption of the Tait TP9100 series are drawcards for organisations across a number of sectors where communications are critical to success.

Emirates Team New Zealand used Tait’s digital terminals during their recent Louis Vuitton Cup yachting success in Valencia, Spain.

The All Blacks trialled Tait’s P25 digital radios during a Phillips Tri-Nations clash against South Africa.

Mr Chick says, “We have very high standards for the radios we produce and they need to live up to being ‘Tait Tough’ before they are sold. Our radios need to take the knocks, whether it be on the rugby field or by police on the beat, and still be able to provide crystal-clear communications.”

“These radios are designed, built in and exported from Christchurch, New Zealand. We like to think that the world’s best radios are being used by the world’s best rugby team.”

ENDS

About Tait Electronics Ltd

Tait Electronics was formed in 1969 and is a leading worldwide provider of radio communications solutions focusing on the needs of public safety organisations, utilities and transport providers. The company exports equipment to over 130 countries from its global headquarters in Christchurch, New Zealand. As a team which makes what it designs, the company is proficient in applied Research and Development and customising solutions. Tait employs over 800 people in New Zealand and wholly-owned customer service facilities in Australia, Singapore, Thailand, China, United Kingdom, France, Canada and the United States.

www.taitworld.com

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