New sponsors keep Magpie jerseys clean

Hawke's Bay rugby has doubled its sponsorship but the Magpies' jerseys will be free of sponsor logos this season.

Former Hawke's Bay District Health Board chairman Kevin Atkinson announced yesterday that his IMS Payroll company would join Progressive Meats as major sponsors, replacing Kelt Capital.

Mr Atkinson and Progressive managing director Craig Hickson both want the Magpies provincial team to wear uncluttered jerseys with the classic black and white stripes.

"It's quite unique in this professional era," Mr Atkinson said.

"Craig and I discussed it and we both agreed we'd like to see the front of the jersey free of sponsorship."

For the last four seasons the team has carried signage of merchant bank Kelt Capital but bank owner Sam Kelt agreed to step aside when the rugby union received a better offer, believed to total $300,000.

Mr Atkinson said the boost would help Hawke's Bay's chances of remaining in the provincial championship's premier division.