Nova Energy is to sponsor Wellington Phoenix for the next two years, reports SportsPro. The deal will see the Nova Energy logo appear on the back of the New Zealand club's shirt, as well as on its training apparel and player travel bags.

Wellington Phoenix chairman Rob Morrison said the deal "shows that the club is moving forward", adding: "From the outset our strategy has focussed on developing a sustainable business model.

"To achieve that goal we need sponsors along with the great fan support the Phoenix enjoys, access to grass roots football, and the capital and business expertise provided by Welnix. The fact that Nova Energy is joining the Phoenix family is a positive endorsement of what we are trying to achieve."

Babu Bahirathan, the chief executive of Nova Energy, added: "The Wellington Phoenix has a strong brand and is one of New Zealand's great sporting properties. Nova Energy is one of New Zealand's best kept energy secrets and we want to build our profile and we believe the Phoenix can help us do this.

"We very much see this as a partnership. While Nova Energy will sponsor the back of the shirt we are keen to do a lot more than that."

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