Genesis has signed a three-year partnership with New Zealand Cricket, backing the game from junior participation through to the BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS.

AUCKLAND, 22 September 2026: New Zealand Cricket has announced a new three-year partnership with Genesis that will see the energy company support community cricket as well as the country’s national teams.

Under the agreement, Genesis becomes the naming-rights partner of Genesis Smash Play, NZC’s programme designed to introduce young New Zealanders to cricket.

The company will also support the BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS across domestic and international seasons and become a back-of-shirt sponsor for both national teams.

The partnership was launched at Genesis’ Auckland office on Monday, with BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS players Fran Jonas, Nathan Smith, Adam Milne and Molly Penfold attending.

The players also unveiled the new T20 playing kit for the upcoming summer.

Partnership extends from grassroots to international cricket

A significant part of the agreement is its focus on cricket below the international level.

Genesis will put its name behind Smash Play, supporting a programme aimed at giving children an accessible introduction to the sport.

NZC chief executive Geoff Allott said the partnership was the organisation’s first major agreement with an energy company.

“This partnership breaks new ground for NZC in terms of being our first major energy partner and we couldn’t be happier to have them on board ahead of a massive home summer,” Allott said.

He said the partnership recognised that cricket extended beyond the BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS.

“It’s about kids picking up a bat for the first time through Genesis Smash Play and ensuring the next generation get to enjoy the game we all love.”

BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS included

Genesis branding will also become more visible at the elite level.

As part of the three-year agreement, the company will appear as a back-of-shirt sponsor for both the BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS.

Genesis will also sponsor the opening Powerplay of each innings at every New Zealand Cricket home white-ball international during the next three seasons.

That will give the partnership a presence across New Zealand’s home limited-overs international programme.

Fans offered summer promotions and experiences

The partnership will also include promotions aimed directly at cricket supporters.

Genesis says it will give 20 people one year of power during the coming season, alongside a range of experiences for fans attending or following home cricket.

Genesis Chief Revenue Officer Stephen England-Hall said the company wanted its involvement to extend across different levels of the game.

“At Genesis, we believe the best Kiwi summers are lived at full power,” England-Hall said.

“That’s why we’re proud to back Kiwi cricket at every level, from the next generation discovering the game through Genesis Smash Play to our national teams inspiring us on the world stage.”

He said the company’s ambition was to help create more opportunities for New Zealanders to play, follow and celebrate cricket throughout the summer.

Three-year commitment to Kiwi cricket

The agreement gives Genesis a presence across three distinct areas of New Zealand cricket: junior participation, international teams and the match-day experience.

Partnership area

Genesis involvement

Community cricket

Naming-rights partner of Genesis Smash Play

BLACKCAPS

Partner and back-of-shirt sponsor

WHITE FERNS

Partner and back-of-shirt sponsor

Home internationals

Sponsor of opening Powerplay in each innings at home white-ball matches

Duration

Three years

Fan promotion

One year of power for 20 winners plus fan experiences

For NZC, the agreement adds a new major commercial partner ahead of another busy home summer.

For Genesis, it provides exposure from children experiencing cricket for the first time through to New Zealand’s leading men’s and women’s players competing internationally.

The partnership begins this summer and will run across the next three New Zealand cricket seasons.

Source: New Zealand Cricket. Reporting and presentation by Webfit News.