- Nasima Akter
BLACKCAPS Auction Signed Shirts for Cyclone Relief
The BLACKCAPS are stepping up to help those impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle and future disasters. In a collaboration with ANZ NZ and New Zealand Cricket, the team will auction off two signed shirts from their historic Test match against England in Wellington.
This initiative, called “Pitch In”, will raise funds for the New Zealand Red Cross New Zealand Disaster Fund, which will support those adversely affected by weather events.
ANZ NZ has already donated $1m to the cause, and all ticket sales from the Sri Lanka-BLACKCAPS ODI series opening match on March 25th will go towards the fund. The public can also donate by texting DONATE to 540.
What is ANZ NZ?
ANZ NZ is a subsidiary of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited, one of the largest banking groups in the Asia-Pacific region. It offers a wide range of financial products and services to individuals, businesses, and institutional customers in New Zealand, including personal and business banking, wealth management, insurance, and commercial finance.
ANZ NZ is committed to promoting sustainable practices and has implemented various initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint and support communities in need. The company has also partnered with organizations like New Zealand Cricket and the New Zealand Red Cross to support various community initiatives and disaster relief efforts.
Why Shirts?
The shirts being auctioned off are not just any shirts, but ones from a match that made history. It was only the second Test match in history to be won by a solitary run and the fourth by a team asked to follow on.
BLACKCAPS Test captain Tim Southee said he hoped that the unique nature of the shirts would motivate bidders to get involved and contribute to the cause. Southee expressed that the players wanted to do something to help, and securing a signed shirt from both BLACKCAPS and England sides was a great way to do so.
Last Time BLACKCAPS Had an Auction
The “Pitch In” initiative is not the first auction that the team held. In May 2022, Black Caps spinner Ajaz Patel put up one of his playing shirts on auction to raise funds for the Starship Foundation. The shirt Patel auctioned was what he wore in the match where he achieved a record. He became the first New Zealand player to take all ten wickets in a test innings.
The proceeds from the auction went to the Starship Foundation to fund a Play Specialist for the Starship Radiology Department. A Play Specialist helps children and their families prepare for difficult or complex procedures like MRI scans, often helping the child cope without the need for a general anesthetic.
Statements on the Auction
ANZ NZ chief executive Antonia Watson believes that sport has a unifying effect, and the “Pitch In” initiative is a great way for Kiwis to come together and support each other.
The New Zealand Red Cross General Manager Engagement & Enterprise, Shane Chisholm, said that the organization is proud to be teaming up with ANZ NZ and NZC to support those affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and to help ensure that New Zealand is well prepared for emergencies in the future.
With the support of the public, the “Pitch In” initiative will directly aid the New Zealand Disaster Fund, which will enable the deployment of people and specialist disaster response equipment and technical expertise anywhere across the country.
