By Patrick Avenell
Chinese telecommunications and IT company Huawei has today been revealed as the new major sponsor of the Canberra Raiders rugby league team. Huawei's logo will appear on the front of the Green Machine's jersey for the remainder of the 2012 NRL season and throughout 2013.
Somewhat amusingly #1: the announcement today was on the lawn of Parliament House – earlier this week, it was revealed that the Federal Government had banned Huawei from bidding for tender in the National Broadband Network (NBN).
Somewhat amusingly #2: The official media release for this announcement includes a handy pronunciation guide. Apparently it's 'wah-way', which no doubt will soon become rhyming slang for Broncos' fullback Jharal Yow Yeh.
“This is Huawei’s first major sports-team sponsorship anywhere in the world, and we’re delighted it’s with the Raiders,” said Huawei Australia chairman John Lord. “As Huawei ventures into new business areas like mobile handsets and Enterprise IT, this partnership with the Raiders will help build our brand. With Huawei’s 140,000 staff, it’s safe to say that the Raiders have just gained 140,000 new fans around the world.”
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The Raiders will unveil the new strip in its home match against the North Queensland Cowboys this Monday night. Here's CEO Don Furner (brother of head coach David) expressing every shade of happiness.
“The Canberra Raiders are extremely proud to enter into this partnership with such a large and successful company like Huawei," Don Furner said. “Huawei is a world leader of information and communications technology and to have them associated with the Raiders is a massive boost for the club and our members.
“Huawei partnership with the Raiders is also a massive vote of confidence in the city of Canberra and its people. It is well known that Canberrans are very IT savvy and I think Huawei recognised this in choosing the Raiders.
"By their own admission they are a company that most people in Australia have used, but have never heard of. Accordingly, the Raiders look forward to increasing Huawei’s brand awareness and assist in promoting the company’s products."
Although rugby league isn't completely unheard of in China, as evidenced by the picture of Benji Marshall adorning the wall of Haier's global head office in Qingdao, it is fair to assume Huawei might need some priming, so here is a highlight from the Raiders' rich history (including an introduction to the club song and retro appearance by Today Tonight host Matt White):
The Laurie Daley try at 1:30 is the writer's all time favourite rugby league moment.
John Lord with the new Huawei Raiders jerseys.
And here is that image of Benji: