SIT Renews Southland Stags Naming Sponsorship For Two More Years

SIT Zero Fees Southland Stags are releasing a new video today announcing Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) as their naming sponsor for another two seasons.

Filmed last week at SIT, the fun, short video features Stags Head Coach Dale MacLeod, enthusiastically hammering out a game plan on a whiteboard to a confused class of Cookery students, who are supposed to be learning how to make Hot Cross Buns and Croissants.

SIT have been naming sponsors of the Stags since 2003. The symbiotic 18-year relationship sees the Stags players regularly participating in school visits, open days, expos etc., engaging with and encouraging students to make good choices around furthering their education.

There are also opportunities for SIT students to get involved with Southland Rugby.
Jack King, Marketing Coordinator for Rugby Southland said for at least the last three seasons they’ve been able to utilise SIT students to assist in running game days.

Last season they used an events team – SIT students studying for an Events Management paper, to be involved in game day running. They participated in hospitality, children’s face painting, taking photos of the game, wherever they were needed to help the day run smoothly. It gives the students opportunities to be involved in real-world events practising their skills for future events jobs, said Mr King.

The team’s Strength and Conditioning Intern is an SIT student as well, who is heavily involved with helping the team perform at their best during the rugby season.

He also said they’ve enjoyed educating SIT’s International students about rugby in New Zealand, a game many of them know little or nothing about. “They don’t know how big rugby is here and we give them a real behind-the-scenes look at the game”.

Rugby Southland general manager Steve Mitchell is thrilled to have SIT back behind the Stags in 2020/21. “We have a passionate union of supporters, and the longevity of SIT and the Southland Stags partnership highlights the pride of Southland and its rugby.”

“SIT and the Southland Stags have both had their challenges over the past few months, but together we are excited to see what the next two years can bring.”

Southern Institute of Technology Acting Chief Executive Maree Howden is also excited about the continued sponsorship of the SIT Zero Fees Southland Stags for two more seasons.
“SIT’s association with the Southland Stags has been a long and fruitful partnership. We have had students from the fields of Sport, Massage, Business, Film and even Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy involved with the Stags over the years, adding diversity to their learning. We know the Stags will do us proud, and we wish them the very best of luck for this upcoming season!”