Wilsons Abel Tasman Sponsor Local Women’s Sport

Motueka High School’s girls 1st IX football team moves up to First Division in the Nelson Bays women's football competition, helped by sponsorship from Wilsons Abel Tasman.

The team was not sure what to expect when promoted to First Division this 2009 season but losing their first game, played on the 3rd of May against Richmond, by one goal inspired them to beat all other teams, bar one, putting them in third place through the first weeks of July.

On Sunday July 26th, the girls played Richmond again, this time with an outstanding victory of 6-2 to Motueka high school. This win now puts the girls up to second place, an outcome they never even considered when being promoted to First Division.

Wilsons Abel Tasman’s sponsorship of the team included a fundraiser held in December 2008 with afternoon cruise in Abel Tasman National Park. Canapés prepared by the team were served on board, accompanied by a glass of champagne. All passengers received a free trip on the Wilson’s brand new catamaran, Abel Tasman Voyager, when it commenced service in the Park later in December.

Tickets sold for the cruise raised money for the team to compete at the Satellite football tournament in Wellington in September 2008. The experience was an important step in their promotion to First Division. Keen to continue their support, Wilsons Abel Tasman provides the team with a set of training and travelling shirts, the same popular design as uniforms worn by the Wilson’s office and guiding teams.

The team’s victory against Richmond sets them up for the Satellite tournament to be held in Christchurch this year. Captain for the Motueka High School’s girls 1st IX football team, Hana Cumming says, “Our girls would like to take this opportunity to thank Darryl and the team at Wilsons for their ongoing support of our team and of women's soccer. We will wear our shirts with pride when we go to Christchurch in September.”