The 2016 ASB New Zealand Rugby Awards will be held on December 15, 2016 at Auckland’s SkyCity Convention Centre, bringing together the biggest names in New Zealand rugby to recognise this year’s triumphs from the community game through to the international level.

With awards ranging from Women’s Player of the Year and Team of the Year, to Referee and Coach of the Year, the annual awards acknowledge success and ambition and continue the tradition of celebrating rugby excellence in New Zealand.

New Zealand Rugby Chief Executive Steve Tew says it is great news ASB is supporting one of the key events in the rugby calendar.

“This is a night where the rugby community comes together to celebrate those who have made a difference in the game so it’s fitting that a high performer and proud rugby supporter like ASB is backing this great event.”

ASB Executive General Manager Marketing and Communications Roger Beaumont says ASB is delighted to be the new sponsor of the ASB New Zealand Rugby Awards, celebrating Kiwi players who’ve kept one step ahead in the game.

“The ASB New Zealand Rugby Awards will be a big night in New Zealand sport, where local rugby legends mix with our favourite international players,” Mr Beaumont says.

“The night is about acknowledging and honouring the code’s most ambitious players at all levels of the game, from teams and players at the local level to coaches, referees and Test-match players.

“ASB is tremendously proud to be the bank that backs the All Blacks, and we’re thrilled to extend our support of the sport to this auspicious event,” Mr Beaumont says.

The ASB New Zealand Rugby Awards sits alongside ASB’s existing sponsorship of the All Blacks, and the All Blacks Sevens and Black Ferns Sevens teams.

About the ASB New Zealand Rugby Awards

The 17th annual ASB New Zealand Rugby Awards will take place in the New Zealand Room at Auckland’s SkyCity Convention Centre on Thursday December 15.

The awards will be televised live on Sky TV’s Rugby channel and Sky Sport 1.