Basketball New Zealand

John Chow (Left) Pero Cameron (Coach) Michael Chow (Right)

Exodus Health and Fitness Club was today announced by the Wellington Saints as the new naming rights partner for the highly successful Bartercard National Basketball Franchise.

The Wellington team will now be known as the Exodus Saints.

Exodus Health and Fitness Club jumped at the opportunity to partner the landmark team, which has a proud 27-year history in the NBL.

“The Saints have trained in our club for the last three years and we have been very passionate supporters of the team, so to be able to take our relationship to this level is very exciting,” said John Chow of Exodus Health and Fitness Club.

This new partnership has come at a key time for the Saints, who would have found the season difficult without the financial backing of a major sponsor.

Justin Toebes, Chairman of the Exodus Saints, was delighted at the news. “This is a fantastic partnership – something that is great for the team and for the sport,” he said.

“It’s tough times out there and we are so fortunate to have been able to turn this deal around in just 10 days. That is testament to the heritage of the Saints and the commitment of Exodus Health and Fitness to Wellington Sport.”

Sam Rossiter-Stead, Chairman of the Bartercard NBL, agreed with this sentiment “This is fantastic news for our sport of a whole. This announcement is one of five new naming sponsor agreements in 2010 and shows the strength of our league, as businesses are so keen to be associated with our brand.

“Exodus Health and Fitness Club has been a dedicated supporter of basketball for a while and it is great to see them stepping up to join the Wellington Saints for what will hopefully become a long-term and fruitful partnership.”

The Exodus Saints play their first home game at the TSB Bank Arena, Queens Wharf, next Thursday at 7pm against the Southland Sharks in Round Four of the Bartercard NBL. This will be the first opportunity for Wellington fans to see the Exodus Saints taking their new look to the court.