Television Secured for Hamilton's Great Race
Confirmation that the Gallagher Great Race will again have television coverage was announced today. Coverage will include the three 'big' races between the Australian and New Zealand men's and women's eights and the Great Race itself.
Making this possible is Hamilton based company Holdfast after striking a deal with TVNZ and The Great Race organizers Boathouse Events.
For Holdfast, maker of adhesives and sealants, this is a first. Managing Director, Brett Henderson said supporting a local event was the key, "We have always wanted to be involved at a community level and this icon event meets our criteria perfectly. We have never been involved in anything of this scale before and our team is very excited about the prospect of getting the action televised."
The hour long programme will be screened on Sunday September 11 on TV1, the day after the Gallagher Great Race.
Event spokesman, Rob Hamill attributed the support to a willingness of local companies big picture approach to sponsorship, "It's not dissimilar to Team New Zealand's marketing strategy but on a smaller scale. Media organizations like TVNZ, Waikato Times and Radio Network are the crucial elements to making a sponsorship like this work."
TVNZ Hamilton's General Manager, Sharyn Cawood helped the organizers put the deal together, "This is part of and on going relationship with all the supporters of the Great Race. The event makes for great television."
The Radio Network's iconic sports commentator, Peter Montgomery will again be the voice to the Great Race confirming his burgeoning passion for the event. "I always bring the family down for the weekend," he said, "And have told many a friend to do likewise. It's on my calendar every year as something very special and not to be missed."