The ITM Cup is a New Zealand domestic rugby union competition, contested annually from late August to early November. It was founded in 2006 with 14 teams, after the National Provincial Championship (NPC) was split into two separate competitions. (Twelve other clubs from the NPC now compete in the amateur Heartland Championship). It was originally sponsored (2006-2009) by Air New Zealand, and called the "Air New Zealand Cup".
In March 2010, Air New Zealand chose to concentrate rugby sponsorship on the country's national team, the All Blacks, and building supplies cooperative ITM (Independent Timber Merchants) became the major sponsor.
Read more about ITM Cup: History, Future, 2009 Format, Current Teams, Trophy, Ranfurly Shield, Squads
Famous quotes containing the word cup:
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—Amelia E. Barr (1831–1919)