New Zealand’s premier fast bowler, Shane Bond, together with two key members of the New Zealand Women’s cricket team, Maria Fahey and Sarah Burke, have signed two-year sponsorship and endorsement contracts with New Zealand company, Aero Sports Protection Limited.

“Aero’s gear is quite simply the best equipment on the market today. I can run faster in it and I am better protected when I go out to bat,” said Bond. “As a New Zealand cricketer, being sponsored by a New Zealand company is unique and a big plus.”

“Cricket balls hurt when they hit you – especially if someone like Shane is bowling. Every time a player goes out to play in Aero gear, they are to an extent putting their safety in our hands. We respect that trust and everything we do seeks to build upon it,” said Aero’s CEO Roger Bradley. “Shane, Sarah and Maria are the first of a number of elite player signings that we will be announcing in the months to come. To receive an endorsement from a player of Shane’s stature is a real validation of the equipment that we make.”

“Aero has put a lot of effort into the women’s game. They have worked with us to make sure that their gear suits the way that we want to play,” said Fahey.

“An association with Aero made complete sense to me. The gear is comfortable, durable and perfect for my needs,” said Burke.

The contracts were signed at a special event in Christchurch today. At the same event, the Christchurch Junior Cricket Association (CJCA) announced further progress with its artificial wicket installation programme. Cricket Express together with Aero have won a contract to supply all the playing equipment that is being put into schools along with the pitches.

“We are very pleased that Cricket Express and Aero are supplying the equipment we need for our artificial wicket programme. We were looking for high performance, durable equipment and the Aero leg protectors are state of the art in that sense,” said CJCA President Brent McConchie. “Also, Aero’s leg protectors are versatile – they can be used for keeping and batting and the kids can actually run properly in the gear rather than waddling as they do in traditional gear,” added McConchie