Usain Bolt to Induct Breakers as Newest Premier Partner of Gatorade

Gatorade and the SKYCITY New Zealand Breakers announced today that Gatorade is the Breakers’ new official sports drink. Usain Bolt will help launch the new partnership by inducting the team into the elite ranks of Gatorade’s premier sports partnerships which includes the world’s best athletes across the spectrum of sports.

"Gatorade has a history of fuelling the best athletes in the world, including basketball players, so we are thrilled to continue this tradition, with our new relationship with the SKYCITY Breakers,” says Mark Callaghan, CEO of Frucor, the official New Zealand distributor of Gatorade.

The partnership will be formalised during Usain Bolt’s visit on October 8, at an event on Auckland’s North Shore. Bolt will feature in the team’s warm up before the SKYCITY Breakers take on the NZ Breakers Academy squad in a friendly training session.

"Core to the Gatorade brand is the belief that success comes from within. This also cuts to the heart of the SKYCITY Breakers team philosophy and what better way to kick start the relationship than by inducting a winning Kiwi team into the elite Gatorade ranks? Having Usain leading the initiation while at the pinnacle of his success is an unbelievable opportunity,” says Callaghan.

Gatorade is the most tested sports drink in the world with more than four decades of scientific research behind it. Since it was first formulated in 1965 at the University of Florida, Gatorade has helped fuel athletes at all levels to reach their best performance.

"We are committed to supporting high performing sports talent in New Zealand through the Gatorade brand and the SKYCITY Breakers represent exactly that. They are one of this country's pre-eminent sports teams and a perfect fit for Gatorade,” says Callaghan.

"We are stoked to partner with Gatorade, and every player is buzzing about the opportunity to meet Usain Bolt and launch the relationship in a special way. Gatorade's commitment and proven success in propelling athletes and sports teams with science-based nutrition makes it the very best sports drink choice for the SKYCITY Breakers. Certainly the boys are looking forward to the chance to warm up with the fastest man on earth,” says SKYCITY Breakers general manager Richard Clarke.

The partnership extends for the next three years with right of renewal and will include the iconic Gatorade orange coolers, among other things, on the sidelines of the first SKYCITY Breakers game on October 5 at North Shore Events Centre.

Twenty local Gatorade fans will be selected via the Gatorade Facebook page to attend the SKYCITY Breakers induction event on October 8 via www.facebook.com/gatoradenz.

Gatorade New Zealand is currently working on another significant opportunity for Kiwis to see Usain Bolt in action. As soon as details are confirmed, they will be released. Additional detail about Usain Bolt’s involvement in other launch activities and itinerary will be released as soon as it is confirmed.