Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union (CMRFU), the Franklin Bulls, and Franklin Basketball are proud to announce a new strategic community sport partnership designed to strengthen participation, build connection, and create more opportunities for people across the Franklin and Counties Manukau region.
At the heart of this partnership is a simple but powerful belief: our community thrives when we work together. By combining the strengths of rugby, basketball, and community management, the three organisations aim to show that sport can be a unifying force one that brings people together, breaks down barriers, and ensures everyone has the opportunity to play.
“This partnership proves that when organisations unite with a shared purpose, they can create meaningful impact for the greater good.” said Andrew Philips, Head of Commercial at Counties Manukau RFU.
“By joining forces with the Franklin Bulls and Franklin Basketball, we can create more pathways, more events, and more reasons for our community to connect through sport. This partnership also shows other organisations that working together for the betterment of our community is far more powerful than working alone. We all want the best for our region, and we want the younger generation to thrive here.”
GM of The Franklin Bulls Jamie Reddish was a big driver in bringing the partnership together, said the Oil hub Rapid League Bulls uniform will serve as an example of our sports, codes and the community coming together with a shared goal.
While the Franklin Bulls can't boast 70 years in existence just yet, the team have decided to pay homage to the Steelers legacy in Counties Manukau, by choosing to don the hoops for their 2026 Oilhub.co.nz Rapid League team. The uniform which has been put together as part of celebrating the city/community initiative by New Balance and the Sals NBL features the Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union hoops and the word "Counties" across the chest. The uniform also includes, as all Bulls uniforms have since 2019, the black, white, and yellow stripes.
"We believe we are stronger united, regardless of the sporting differences, we are in the same community, and it just makes sense to work together. The uniform is a way that, this season, we can celebrate all the blood sweat and tears that have gone into the Counties Rugby Union over 70 years and the Bulls 7th year."
The Bulls in partnership with the Steelers are offering a limited run of replica singlets which will be available online.
Get your season pass before they run out.
Get yours - https://www.bullsbasketball.nz/memberships
The collaboration will focus on:
• Joint community events and activations that bring families and young people together
• Youth development programmes across rugby and basketball
• Shared initiatives promoting physical activity, teamwork, and wellbeing
• Creating inclusive, accessible pathways so everyone has the chance to participate
• Joint holiday camps combining both sports and activities
• Merchandise giveaways and competitions throughout the year
The aim is clear: to combine the strengths of all three organisations for the betterment of the community and ensure everyone has the opportunity to play sport.
Looking ahead, this partnership is only just beginning. Over the coming year, the organisations will announce a number of joint initiatives so stay tuned as they continue to show what’s possible when sport and community come together.
