Invacare New Zealand is pleased to announce its sponsorship of the Auckland Wheelchair Rugby Team. Commencing on 18 May 2007, it is a one-year agreement that includes being the naming sponsors of all Auckland Wheelchair Rugby's representative teams. This is the first such sponsorship of Regional Wheelchair Rugby and Adrian Barr, Invacare New Zealand’s General Manager said, "For us wheelchair rugby was a natural choice – we wanted to be associated with a team and individuals who are enthusiastic and are looking to take the game forward. We wish the team well for the up and coming season”.

It will be a busy year for the Invacare Auckland Wheelchair Rugby Team. The first round of national competition was held on the 26-27 May in Napier, this will be followed by two more events building up to the Nationals that are to be held on the 12-14 October in Christchurch.

• NZ WRC Round 1, 26th - 27th May, Napier
• NZ WRC Round 2, 9th - 10th June, Palmerston North
• NZ WRC Round 3, 7th - 8th July, Wellington
• New Zealand Nationals, 12th - 14th October, Christchurch

We will be getting updates on how the team is doing from the ‘Man in the Stand’, Auckland and New Zealand representative Curtis Palmer. The first of these updates can be found below, future updates will be posted on the Invacare website.

This is a fantastic new sponsorship arrangement and Invacare is looking forward to building a strong relationship with the Invacare Auckland Wheelchair Rugby team and getting involved in this exciting sport.

The Invacare Auckland Wheelchair Rugby Team in action, WRC1, Napier, 26-27 May 2007.

Invacare Auckland Wheelchair Rugby 2007 – Man in The Stand Update

24 May 2007

“Its exciting times for the Invacare Auckland Wheelchair Rugby team in 07. Having already tasted success at the National Low Point Tournament the team is looking forward to a great year. On the 26-27th of May the Rhino's head to Napier for the 1st of 3 WRC's. This from the coach, "we are in a development phase this year and I'm excited to see the new talent that's coming through." Auckland hasn't had much development in the past and with the retirement of stalwart Gary McMurray the team needed to rebuild.

Gary has taken on the development role and has successfully recruited 6 new players, including 3 from Whangarei. These players have been thrown in the deep end and will hopefully learn heaps before we go to Nationals in Oct.

This year is the first year the team has had a major sponsor and look forward to a great relationship with Invacare. The team from Invacare have already come out to Otara to have a go and we can't wait to have another bash.

Keep an eye out for results and match reports in the next instalment. For further info please go to www.wheelblacks.com

Man In The Stand, "I'm not really angry"

Auckland Wheelchair Rugby announces 'Invacare' as Sponsor

Source: www.wheelblacks.co.nz

21 May 2007

Auckland Wheelchair Rugby has a sponsor for the season. Invacare New Zealand has become the naming sponsor of all of Auckland Wheelchair Rugby's representative teams.
Auckland Treasurer Jai Waite commented, "This is the first time a provincial wheelchair rugby team has been supported in this way and we are pleased that Auckland is leading the way".

"The sponsorship package will go along way to making our season successful in terms of equipment maintenance, player development, and tournament cost; and hopefully that will translate into on court success".

Auckland Wheelchair Rugby recently hosted the Invacare team to give them an idea of the demands of wheelchair rugby.