Gallagher to back Chiefs Manawa and extend partnership with Gallagher Chiefs

The Chiefs Rugby Club has today announced that long-term principal partner, Gallagher, will become a major sponsor of the Chiefs Manawa for the first time, and has extended its sponsorship of the Gallagher Chiefs for another three years.

The move marks a significant moment for the Chiefs Rugby Club - uniting both the men’s and women’s teams under one shared identity, with Gallagher now featuring front and centre on both jerseys as a powerful symbol of inclusion and pride.

“Since the inception of Chiefs Manawa, the Chiefs Rugby Club has focused on bringing everyone together as one club. Yes, the women’s game is different from the men’s game, but on the field, the power, pace and skills required are the same,” said Simon Graafhuis, CEO of Chiefs Rugby Club. “Having Gallagher extend its sponsorship to the women’s programme and have their name on the jersey after such a long partnership is a reflection of that.”

Gallagher has been a major partner of the Chiefs since 2011, with the relationship elevating to principal and naming rights partner of the Gallagher Chiefs in 2014. The renewed and extended partnership reinforces more than a decade of shared belief in teamwork and unity - qualities that resonate both on and off the field, from the farm to the business world.

Gallagher CEO & Executive Director Kahl Betham says: “Our partnership with the Chiefs has always been about more than rugby - it’s about connection, community, and pride in where we come from. Extending our support to Chiefs Manawa embodies those same values and celebrates the incredible talent and determination that inspires fans across Aotearoa. We can’t wait to cheer both teams on in 2026.”

In announcing the partnership today, Gallagher released a special campaign video featuring players from both the Gallagher Chiefs and Chiefs Manawa, including Luke Jacobson, Mia Anderson, Quinn Tupaea and Reese Anderson. In the video, members of Chiefs Manawa literally put the HER in GALLAGHER, stepping forward to complete the company’s iconic name in giant block letters - a bold statement of shared purpose, capturing the mana that connect both teams and their fans.

With both the Gallagher Chiefs and Chiefs Manawa running out under the same banner, the Chiefs Rugby Club and its fans will see a strengthened and united brand presence in the 2026 season - an iconic Waikato company proudly backing both the men’s and women’s sides of the Chiefs Rugby Club.