Union fleet's custom paint job

Rob Townshend (left) was more than happy to hand over the keys to Mike Bishop for the HBRU's new fleet. Photo / Duncan Brown

For the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union's management and crew there was never any doubt what colour the new fleet of vehicles was going to be.

Black and white - like shiny automated magpies.

The union has forged a new vehicle sponsorship deal for the next four years with Bayswater Vehicles, and chief executive Mike Bishop said dealer principal Rob Townshend had been all too happy to sort the colour schemes of the nine new Isuzus and Hyundais.

"We have had a long link with the rugby union as sponsors and this was a good opportunity for us to move up and become a prime sponsor," Townshend said.

The company was one of several to put in tenders for the vehicle fleet and Bishop said a good arrangement had been reached.

"As one of our sponsors, they have been very generous with their time and money and so this a great day for us," Bishop said.

"And the other great thing is they have been strong supporters of ours for so many years."

The union's sponsorship manager, Dan Somerville, was also delighted to see the new black and white fleet roll into the car park.

"Sponsorship is so essential for us and we are lucky in Hawke's Bay in that people are so enthusiastic about their team here," Somerville said.

"We have a great team of loyal and passionate sponsors."

Bishop echoed that, saying that with about 180 corporate, business and individual sponsors, the Magpies had the largest spread of sponsorship supporters in all the provinces.

Townshend said: "It's just good to be part of it - part of the whole community thing and putting something back."

Somerville said winning then retaining the Ranfurly Shield last season had seen an increase in the number of calls from businesses wanting to become part of the Magpies sponsorship team.

Bishop said there had already been a noticeable bonus on the running costs with the new deal cars, saying filling up with diesel cost a lot less than petrol.