100% committed with 100% of all Farah Palmer Cup matches broadcast live and streaming on Sky - Sky

“Women’s rugby is skilled, athletic, powerful and unique – and now, everyone can see how superb it is, wherever the Farah Palmer Cup is played,” says Sophie Moloney, Sky CEO.  

“Today, we are excited to confirm all 44 matches of the Farah Palmer Cup will be broadcast and streamed live this 2021 season, starting on 16 July. This move echoes increasing interest in the women’s game and also adds to our slate of fantastic women’s sport as Sky strives to create equal opportunities for women.”

Broadcasting every Farah Palmer Cup (FPC) match is a big undertaking and it’s one the Sky team is taking willingly. 

“While it may be the first time in the competition’s history that every match of the FPC will be broadcast live, we’ve been working toward this for a few years now, for good reason.

“Our Sky Nation research tells us that more than 70% of Sky Sport customers are interested in women’s sport, and we already have a huge offer of netball, basketball, athletics, league, cricket and surfing, to name a few. It is great to see research from WISPA (Women in Sport Aotearoa) that 53% of New Zealand adults now consider “gender equity in sport” to be an important social cause.”

To encourage support for provincial rugby even further, each week one match of the FPC and Bunnings NPC will be available free to air which is great news for fans throughout Aotearoa.

Moloney says it’s not just about Sky getting in behind women’s rugby.

“Sky invites other athletes, codes and all New Zealanders to support and encourage our wāhine toa as they take the rugby field to represent their whānau and provinces.  It’s something we need to do together for healthy and active communities.  Developing and showcasing talent is also vital to bringing new talent through who go on to represent New Zealand on the world stage. 

“We are so looking forward to July 16 when Auckland takes on the Bay of Plenty at Eden Park.  Bring it on!”
 

For Farah Palmer Cup schedule details head here: https://www.provincial.rugby/farah-palmer-cup/fixtures-and-results/

Women in Sport on Sky

We are proud to offer the below.

•    Rugby: Black Ferns, Farah Palmer Cup, Sevens(and the Condor Sevens). Star players Ruby Tui and Honey Hireme-Smiler (rugby league and rugby) also work for Sky Sport
•    Netball: from the ANZ Premiership and the world-beating Silver Ferns to regional and local competitions
•    Rugby League: we sponsor the Kiwi Ferns, Warriors Women and the Sky Sport National Premiership plus a roadshow series to encourage boys and girls to get into league 
•    Cricket: including incredible knocks in the recent ICC Women’s Cricket T20 tournament, Big Bash League and every international tournament in Australia, South Africa and India. Looking ahead we have the ICC T20 Women’s World Cup, and the ICC Women’s World Cup in 2022.
•    Basketball: We are proud sponsors of the Sky Sport Tall Ferns + are 100% behind the Sal’s NBL and 18 in 18. 
•    ISPS Handa Premiership Football: Aotearoa’s domestic football competition, the Kate Sheppard Cup and there’s more to come
•    Softball: Women’s Club Champs and there’s also the Sky Sport White Sox
•    Premier Hockey League, NZ Tennis National Champs and of course the ASB Classic
•    Surfing: We are the proud naming rights sponsor of the Sky Sport Piha Pro trials–allowing Kiwis the opportunity to make the main event
•    Bowls, Athletics, Touch, MMA, NZ Winter Games, Motorsport; LPGA and more
•    Cycling: we were so proud to be alongside the Vantage Cycling Championships in 2019, which has helped our cyclists on their journey to global events, like… 
•    The Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games, Winter Olympics, Youth Winter Games and a plethora of other multi-sport events. 
•    Sky Sport sponsors the Emerging Talent award at the Halberg Awards – which in 2020 was received by Alice Robinson.
•    Women and girls also feature prominently in our Sky Sport Next initiative which covers everything from Archery, Badminton and Baseball to Boxing, Canoe Polo, Racing and Slalom (yay Luuka Jones), Cheerleading, Climbing, Cycling, Equestrian, Football, Golf Croquet, Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Karate, Skateboarding, Softball, Squash, Triathlon, Volleyball, Weightlifting, Wrestling, Waka Ama and Yachting – and more. 
•    Behind the camera, we also have a strong team of women across production (crew, producers, commentators, on air talent), broadcasting, management and media.