The Fijian Drua extended its partnership with two of Fiji’s leading household brands, for two years, in Suva today enabling the continuation of the Player of the Match award initiative for the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season.
Offered still as a $500 shopping voucher, thanks to the partnership with hardware giants Vinod Patel and its home furnishing retailer Home & Living, this time around however the award, via the sponsors’ brand Hoover, will be on offer for all Fijian Drua games including their away matches.
Fijian Drua CEO Mark Evans welcomed the extension of the partnerships saying: “We are truly grateful to both Vinod Patel and Home & Living for their continued faith in the Drua. “Their commitment will help the Club provide our players with the resources they need to do even better in our second season of Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific.
“It’s wonderful to have the support of these two wonderful Fijian companies, and it’s an honour for the Drua to showcase their brands to our amazing fans at home as well as a global broadcast audience.”
In return, both the sponsors’ brands will feature prominently on the goal-post pads for all Drua matches in Fiji.
Vinod Patel CEO, Rahul Amin said: “Rugby holds a special place in all our hearts and what better way to give back to the people of Fiji then to support our own, home-grown team! A team we can all call Fijian! Vinod Patel was extremely proud to partner with the Drua in their inaugural season and we were more than happy to jump on board again and are pleased to sign up for another 2 years. As part of the sponsor vuvale, we join the Fijian Drua’s formidable support team. Our sponsorship agreement is 2 pronged, Vinod Patel and Home & Living. Vinod Patel is the official Hardware and Building Material supplier for the Fijian Drua, while Home & Living supplies the team’s furnishing and white goods requirements.”
Home & Living CEO, Jatin Patel added: “While the sponsorship is through Home & Living, we will see our exclusive home appliance brand Hoover as our brand partners in this. The Player of Match awards shall be named as the Hoover Player of the Match.”
The winner will be selected by a panel of experts with the result announced via Drua’s social media soon after full-time.
Last year, the incentive was only offered in the Drua’s seven home games, three of which were picked up by centre Apisalome Vota, Vinaya Habosi bagged two with Joseva Tamani and Onisi Ratave winning one each.
The Drua will kick off its 2023 season on February 24 against Moana Pasifika at Mt. Smart Stadium in Auckland.
