The Hawke's Bay Rugby Union has been given the best indicator yet of the level of support which exists in the province for the concept of a Magpies team in next year's premier division.
In the six weeks since the union released its new sponsorship packages, $1 million has come rolling in as local people clamour to become part of the Team Hawke's Bay First 15.
Numbers in that exclusive $20,000 club have swelled to 17 members.
That interest means the HBRU is a long way towards achieving its goal and not having to dip into its underwriting package ($2 million), which included financial support from the Napier City Council, Hastings District Council and Hawke's Bay Regional Council.
HBRU chairman Richard Hunt and Kelt Capital managing director Sam Kelt have been at the forefront of turning the vision of a Magpies team playing in the premier division into a reality.
"I'd say this has already been a hugely successful campaign and it's indicative of the enormous ground swell of support that exists in the province," Kelt said.
- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY
Hawke's Bay bid for premier status well on the way
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