Sharks in new outfit

DURBAN – While the Sharks are bound to have a home semi-final in the Currie Cup 2013 they have announced their new title sponsor for the next season.

The Sharks (PTY) Ltd are proud to announced that Cell C will become the new title sponsor on a new three-year deal, from January 1.

This sponsorship will see the Cell C brand emblazoned on the playing kit of The Sharks Professional Teams, The KwaZulu-Natal Amateur and Schools teams as well as The Sharks Academy.

The new title sponsor has also acquired naming rights for The Sharks professional teams, therefore from January 2014, The Sharks teams will be known as the Cell C Sharks.

Sharks CEO, John Smit said: “We are proud to welcome Cell C to The Sharks family. This partnership brings together two iconic South African brands who share similar values and a pioneering spirit. Our goal is to be the best franchise in the country and we believe there is great synergy between our two entities.

“We thank Cell C for their investment in to our team and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial partnership.”

Michael Ablett, The Sharks Marketing Managersaid: “We are delighted to partner with a brand such as Cell C, who has secured title sponsorship rights on a three-year basis.

“Our marketing strategy has always been one that seeks to push boundaries in an endeavour to emerge as trendsetters. We believe that this new partnership with a leading mobile provider in South Africa will ensure that together with the rest of our valued sponsors, we form a formidable team that continues to push the envelope in terms of innovation.”

Over the last year Cell C has been involved in the development of rugby around the country and Cell C Chief Commercial Officer, Jose Dos Santos said this deal is the next big step for the company. “We couldn’t have found a better franchise to be aligned with than The Sharks. With their tanacity and spirit, their ethos and drive mimics ours as a company,” he added.