When the North Otago Old Golds run out at Forsyth Barr Stadium on 16 June for their Ranfurly Shield challenge against Otago, they will do so in Classic Sportswear for the very first time, a moment that marks the beginning of an official apparel partnership between two organisations united by a shared belief in what New Zealand rugby stands for.
Classic Sportswear, the official apparel provider for all five New Zealand Super Rugby clubs, Counties Manukau in the NPC, and Upper Clutha Rugby Club, has named North Otago Rugby as its latest partner, bringing its grassroots-to-professional commitment firmly into the heart of Highlanders country.
North Otago Rugby has been a cornerstone of South Island rugby since 1927. From school fields in Oamaru to the Heartland Championship stage, the union’s players and supporters have carried their colours with pride. Classic’s partnership is a recognition of exactly that, a deliberate choice to back the communities that underpin the game, not just the ones in the spotlight.
Sene Naoupu, Chief Executive of North Otago Rugby, said:
“We’re proud to partner with Classic Sportswear on a multi-year agreement, strengthening North Otago Rugby across the full pathway from age-grade development through to our senior men’s and women’s teams, referees, supporters, and volunteers. This historic partnership improves accessibility and affordability for our community to proudly wear the Old Golds and stay connected to our regional identity.
Through aligned partnerships across our Highlanders region, we are strengthening rugby pathways and supporting the growth of the game across the southern region at every level of the game. We thank our former apparel partner for their valued support in recent years and acknowledge Classic Sportswear CEO Ross Smart and Highlanders CEO Roger Clark for their support in bringing our organisations together.”
Ross Smart, Chief Executive Officer, Classic Sportswear, said:
"We are absolutely thrilled to partner with North Otago Rugby and to see Classic Sportswear make its debut in the rugby institution that is the Heartland Championship.
Around the world, rugby is synonymous with New Zealand, built on generations of people playing, watching and loving the game from the grassroots right through to the All Blacks. That same passion exists in North Otago, where rugby remains deeply embedded in community life and the connection between grassroots participation and representative rugby is still incredibly strong.
When Classic entered New Zealand rugby in 2024, our ambition was to support the game at every level. Partnering with North Otago is an important step in that journey and further strengthens our presence across grassroots rugby, the Heartland Championship, NPC and Super Rugby competitions.
We thank the North Otago Rugby Board, CEO Sene Naoupu, coaches and players for their trust, and Highlanders CEO Roger Clark for helping bring our organisations together. To see the Old Golds run out in Classic for the first time in their Ranfurly Shield challenge against Otago is a fitting way to begin our partnership, and to do so on one of the great stages in New Zealand rugby is both an honour and a privilege."
