IMS PAYROLL BECOMES HAWKS MAJOR SPONSOR

Hawke’s Bay sports greatest supporter has stepped up to be the naming rights sponsor of the Hawks basketball team.

Kevin Atkinson and his national payroll company IMS Payroll has increased their level of support, continuing a long standing partnership with the Hawks family.

Hawks board chairman David Aflallo said everyone within the organisation was thrilled that Mr Atkinson and IMS Payroll will be principal sponsor in 2014.

“We couldn’t have wished for a better outcome. Kevin has been a loyal and long standing supporter of basketball and the Hawks.

“We can now build a strong team to win the NBL title,” Aflallo said.

Mr Atkinson was an owner of the franchise for four years in the early 90s and IMS Payroll has been a significant financial sponsor since1990.

The Hastings based company with over 10,000 clients throughout New Zealand and the Pacific Islands also sponsors Hawke’s Bay United, Hawke’s Bay Rugby, the Hastings West Ross Shield Team and the Paora Winitana and Paul Henare Basketball Academy.

Mr Atkinson says he offered to step up to naming rights sponsor for 2014 to give some certainty of competing in the national league and to give the organisation some time to secure a long term sponsorship.

“It’s a one year deal, so that the Hawks can concentrate on winning the NBL title and be in a better position to attract a new major sponsor for a three year or longer deal.

“I’ve always been involved with the Hawks and it’s vital that the Hawke’s Bay community and basketball fans have a team in the NBL.

“The team has got a very strong chance of winning the title. They have a great coach in Tab Baldwin and there are some exciting player announcements in the coming weeks,” he said.