July 29, 2026 • 8 mins
Recently, it was announced that 2degrees and NZR have signed a three year partnership to become their telecommunications partner.
This partnership will specifically support a wide range of women's professional teams and high performance pathways in New Zealand.
Mark Callander is the CEO of 2degrees and he joined D'Arcy to discuss.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Darcy Wildegrave
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Today was announced there two Degrees the telco and NZR
have signed a three year partnership and this specifically is
looking at supporting a wide range of women's professional teams
and high performance pathways in New Zealand. Good new story.
Another one, Mark Calendar is the CEO of two Degrees.
He joins us now to discuss evening. Mark.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Hey, Doncie, how you doing.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
I'm doing very well and I think that you guys
would be pretty happy too. Two Degrees, to the chief
executive of is connected with New Zealand Rugby, a partner
of well basically Women's Rugby, an official telecommunications partner specifically
for the women. Can you expand on that, What exactly
(00:55):
does this mean?
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Mark? Yeah? Absolutely so. Inficially we're incredibly excited, very proud
day for two Degrees. But yeah, as you've highlighted, we've
entered into an agreement to be the official our co
partner for New Zealand Rugby. It's a landmark deal for us.
It's a three year partnership essentially, and for us it's
a significant investment in the future of rugby and out
here are. I think the point you're touching on there
(01:19):
is we've been very focused around targeting the sport to
both women and girls in sport, so that what that
means is we want to be actively involved in the
pathways programs through schools right up through to the high
performance and obviously the sensational Black fans and Black Fans
seven teams.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
So Mart, why did you get into the space? What's
your why?
Speaker 3 (01:42):
What is actually aligned purposes a business? So you know
we have a purpose which is good fighting for fear.
We take that bettle to the telco market, we compete
down against our competitors and were also embedded across our
employment brand and more recently we've been doing across a
lot of our sponsorship activity. So we've been supporting women
and girls in sport for a long time now. We've
(02:04):
been a long term supporter of for Tania Dolta Foundation,
more recently the Tall Ferns and the Opeki rugby teams,
so it's been brewing for a while, but we've just
become more and more focused on making sure that we
put our sponsorship dollars with it they can have their
maximum impact and for us. That is, how do we
again bolster New Zealand rugby through women's sport and in
(02:26):
this instance women's rugby and and something we're incredibly proud
to be a part of.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
How do you know this is paying its own way,
washing its own faces? How does this work for you?
Result wise? What do you look toward?
Speaker 3 (02:37):
Well, actually success for us as range of different measures.
If we get more girls playing the game, that's successful.
You know, if we drive rugby through our communities, that
success from our perspective. So we enter these with a
very pragmatic lens, and it's the impact we're going to
have over multiple years that is most important to us.
So we'll see the benefits of our investment go through
(02:59):
again the programs they're running through the schools, uptake within
the games, and then obviously how the high performance teams
go up about their work. But yeah, it is a
multi year program from our perspective, and like I say,
it's the pathways and starting the grassroots levels right to
the top that we're most focused on.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
One you suggest it's the perfect timing the women's game
right across the board a number of sports. It's right,
it really is flowering And one of the few in
rugby women's women's rugby is on the up and up,
and I think in a lot of other sports as well,
it's really accelerating. So you're at the right time.
Speaker 3 (03:37):
Yeah, and again it's great to be a part of.
But as you mentioned, women's rugby is certainly one of
the fastest growing parts of the game. You know, participant
participation is increasing for us. You know, we love the
way that black fans are inspiring a new generation of
younger players. It's so important for the youth of today
to see the heroes. All of those things are really important.
(03:57):
In fact, I was actually beck at the top that
I was involveding for a long time, having coached rugby
with my son in the earlier years, and was back
at the club and I looked out on the field
and it was a good smile on my face when
I saw two full teams of girls ripper rugby being played.
You know, when I was going through the club rugby
(04:17):
and training the teams, you would have the odd girl
and the team. So to your point, these young players
are seeing the heroes out there, They're getting involved and
like you say, we are seeing increased participation, which is
great for communities. It's great for rugby in the longer term,
and again what we're about is how do we keep
growing that for women and girls across New.
Speaker 2 (04:35):
Zealand Planning money changes hands. It's the nature of sponsorship,
but physically, as a telco, what can you provide?
Speaker 3 (04:43):
So again it's how do we, through our networks, our connections,
how do we support it and bring it alive in
the communities. So we've got a great team here. From
an activation perspective, how do we help build awareness through
our channels, through our customers. We've got a very large
retail store presence, so again it's around how we work
with New Zealand Rugby and the woman's teams to really
(05:07):
drive this and build awareness as best we can across
the country. We've got great reach and we've got great coverage,
so it's how we work together to do that for
the best for everyone.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
And association with things that are planning big buying from them.
Expectations around this partnership, I suppose what do you want
from those guys?
Speaker 3 (05:24):
Well, again, they've been phenomenal to deal with, to be honest,
So again we've been very clear as to our why
why we're coming into the relationship and it's how they
can also open doors and work with us again to
have the impact that we're looking to have on both
the sport itself, increasing visibility and you know, getting down
to the grassroots of clubs and school rugby. So they
(05:45):
are very open to it. Give We've had great discussions
throughout the process. We had Whitney end today doing the
presslice with us. Hearing her speak is very inspiration to
see what she wants to do for the team. So yeah,
we just can't wait to see what the next few
years what looks like.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
And as far as watching and being engage with these
the women's sport as well, you're satisfied with what you
getting on television as far as Sky Sport, I suppose
for free to wear rugby as well, and it's turned
up on TV and Z Plus.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
Yeah, it's definitely getting better again. The opicking numbers are good.
We had a great final recently, so again, I just
think the personality is involved in the game now, some
of the free flowing rugby. We're starting to see you
talk around appealing to the fans, you know, I think
that is what women's rugby is evolving to be. So
we see only increased viewership and participant from the sideline
(06:36):
as well, and that's you know, that's going to be
one of the key success factors.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
I'll take umbrage with that last comment. It wasn't a
great final because my team Mutter two got in the
last five minutes. Again, I'm getting tired of this mark.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
Yeah, and I can say I'm probably on the other
side of it the question. So I was very pleasing
to see you get tipped.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
And I was talking about this last week. I think
the beauty of women's rugby now it started off very small.
It's only taking a few steps, but it is taking
larger strides. A lot of these characters, a lot of
these names on all of these faces, are starting to
be entrenched in rugby ecosystem. People know who they are,
they recognize them, and that is huge for the game.
(07:17):
And I speak quite big for two degrees too.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
Absolutely. So again there's some big personalities, there's some great personalities.
Like I said, there's lots of heroes running around out there.
When we did the press announcement today again, when I
was speaking to the son't you the girls afterwards, it
was amazing to hear their international schedule coming up. You know,
they're really getting a profile. I've got some great games
coming up, and again we asked them, what can we
(07:41):
do for you, how can we help you? Their answer
was simple, it was get to the game. You can't
get to the game, watch us on TV. So again,
it was just great to hear their energy. They're in
excitement and you know, the road Miple've got coming up
looks really really good.
Speaker 2 (07:55):
Chief executive for two Degrees make calen to thank you
so much for your timing. Congratulations on that three year deal.
Lovely to see your name up in lights supporting the
way any in New Zealand's national game.
Speaker 3 (08:09):
Awesome. Thanks Darcy.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Darcy Wildegrave
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Today was announced there two Degrees the telco and NZR
have signed a three year partnership and this specifically is
looking at supporting a wide range of women's professional teams
and high performance pathways in New Zealand. Good new story.
Another one, Mark Calendar is the CEO of two Degrees.
He joins us now to discuss evening. Mark.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Hey, Doncie, how you doing.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
I'm doing very well and I think that you guys
would be pretty happy too. Two Degrees, to the chief
executive of is connected with New Zealand Rugby, a partner
of well basically Women's Rugby, an official telecommunications partner specifically
for the women. Can you expand on that, What exactly
(00:55):
does this mean?
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Mark? Yeah? Absolutely so. Inficially we're incredibly excited, very proud
day for two Degrees. But yeah, as you've highlighted, we've
entered into an agreement to be the official our co
partner for New Zealand Rugby. It's a landmark deal for us.
It's a three year partnership essentially, and for us it's
a significant investment in the future of rugby and out
here are. I think the point you're touching on there
(01:19):
is we've been very focused around targeting the sport to
both women and girls in sport, so that what that
means is we want to be actively involved in the
pathways programs through schools right up through to the high
performance and obviously the sensational Black fans and Black Fans
seven teams.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
So Mart, why did you get into the space? What's
your why?
Speaker 3 (01:42):
What is actually aligned purposes a business? So you know
we have a purpose which is good fighting for fear.
We take that bettle to the telco market, we compete
down against our competitors and were also embedded across our
employment brand and more recently we've been doing across a
lot of our sponsorship activity. So we've been supporting women
and girls in sport for a long time now. We've
(02:04):
been a long term supporter of for Tania Dolta Foundation,
more recently the Tall Ferns and the Opeki rugby teams,
so it's been brewing for a while, but we've just
become more and more focused on making sure that we
put our sponsorship dollars with it they can have their
maximum impact and for us. That is, how do we
again bolster New Zealand rugby through women's sport and in
(02:26):
this instance women's rugby and and something we're incredibly proud
to be a part of.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
How do you know this is paying its own way,
washing its own faces? How does this work for you?
Result wise? What do you look toward?
Speaker 3 (02:37):
Well, actually success for us as range of different measures.
If we get more girls playing the game, that's successful.
You know, if we drive rugby through our communities, that
success from our perspective. So we enter these with a
very pragmatic lens, and it's the impact we're going to
have over multiple years that is most important to us.
So we'll see the benefits of our investment go through
(02:59):
again the programs they're running through the schools, uptake within
the games, and then obviously how the high performance teams
go up about their work. But yeah, it is a
multi year program from our perspective, and like I say,
it's the pathways and starting the grassroots levels right to
the top that we're most focused on.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
One you suggest it's the perfect timing the women's game
right across the board a number of sports. It's right,
it really is flowering And one of the few in
rugby women's women's rugby is on the up and up,
and I think in a lot of other sports as well,
it's really accelerating. So you're at the right time.
Speaker 3 (03:37):
Yeah, and again it's great to be a part of.
But as you mentioned, women's rugby is certainly one of
the fastest growing parts of the game. You know, participant
participation is increasing for us. You know, we love the
way that black fans are inspiring a new generation of
younger players. It's so important for the youth of today
to see the heroes. All of those things are really important.
(03:57):
In fact, I was actually beck at the top that
I was involveding for a long time, having coached rugby
with my son in the earlier years, and was back
at the club and I looked out on the field
and it was a good smile on my face when
I saw two full teams of girls ripper rugby being played.
You know, when I was going through the club rugby
(04:17):
and training the teams, you would have the odd girl
and the team. So to your point, these young players
are seeing the heroes out there, They're getting involved and
like you say, we are seeing increased participation, which is
great for communities. It's great for rugby in the longer term,
and again what we're about is how do we keep
growing that for women and girls across New.
Speaker 2 (04:35):
Zealand Planning money changes hands. It's the nature of sponsorship,
but physically, as a telco, what can you provide?
Speaker 3 (04:43):
So again it's how do we, through our networks, our connections,
how do we support it and bring it alive in
the communities. So we've got a great team here. From
an activation perspective, how do we help build awareness through
our channels, through our customers. We've got a very large
retail store presence, so again it's around how we work
with New Zealand Rugby and the woman's teams to really
(05:07):
drive this and build awareness as best we can across
the country. We've got great reach and we've got great coverage,
so it's how we work together to do that for
the best for everyone.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
And association with things that are planning big buying from them.
Expectations around this partnership, I suppose what do you want
from those guys?
Speaker 3 (05:24):
Well, again, they've been phenomenal to deal with, to be honest,
So again we've been very clear as to our why
why we're coming into the relationship and it's how they
can also open doors and work with us again to
have the impact that we're looking to have on both
the sport itself, increasing visibility and you know, getting down
to the grassroots of clubs and school rugby. So they
(05:45):
are very open to it. Give We've had great discussions
throughout the process. We had Whitney end today doing the
presslice with us. Hearing her speak is very inspiration to
see what she wants to do for the team. So yeah,
we just can't wait to see what the next few
years what looks like.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
And as far as watching and being engage with these
the women's sport as well, you're satisfied with what you
getting on television as far as Sky Sport, I suppose
for free to wear rugby as well, and it's turned
up on TV and Z Plus.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
Yeah, it's definitely getting better again. The opicking numbers are good.
We had a great final recently, so again, I just
think the personality is involved in the game now, some
of the free flowing rugby. We're starting to see you
talk around appealing to the fans, you know, I think
that is what women's rugby is evolving to be. So
we see only increased viewership and participant from the sideline
(06:36):
as well, and that's you know, that's going to be
one of the key success factors.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
I'll take umbrage with that last comment. It wasn't a
great final because my team Mutter two got in the
last five minutes. Again, I'm getting tired of this mark.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
Yeah, and I can say I'm probably on the other
side of it the question. So I was very pleasing
to see you get tipped.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
And I was talking about this last week. I think
the beauty of women's rugby now it started off very small.
It's only taking a few steps, but it is taking
larger strides. A lot of these characters, a lot of
these names on all of these faces, are starting to
be entrenched in rugby ecosystem. People know who they are,
they recognize them, and that is huge for the game.
(07:17):
And I speak quite big for two degrees too.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
Absolutely. So again there's some big personalities, there's some great personalities.
Like I said, there's lots of heroes running around out there.
When we did the press announcement today again, when I
was speaking to the son't you the girls afterwards, it
was amazing to hear their international schedule coming up. You know,
they're really getting a profile. I've got some great games
coming up, and again we asked them, what can we
(07:41):
do for you, how can we help you? Their answer
was simple, it was get to the game. You can't
get to the game, watch us on TV. So again,
it was just great to hear their energy. They're in
excitement and you know, the road Miple've got coming up
looks really really good.
Speaker 2 (07:55):
Chief executive for two Degrees make calen to thank you
so much for your timing. Congratulations on that three year deal.
Lovely to see your name up in lights supporting the
way any in New Zealand's national game.
Speaker 3 (08:09):
Awesome. Thanks Darcy.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio
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