NRL side North Queensland Toyota Cowboys has extended its sponsorship agreement with Trukai Industries, Papua New Guinea’s leading rice company.

The deal sees Trukai continue as a major sponsor of the club for another two years, while the partnership is aimed at promoting rugby league in Papua New Guinea partly through regular visits from Cowboys players.

The firm’s logo will feature on the back of the team’s playing shorts. Although financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, a deal of this stature is likely to be worth around US$250,000 annually.

“Our partnership with Trukai is a key way we can bring the Cowboys to the people of PNG and has played a major role in developing our supporter base in our northern neighbour,” said Cowboys general manager, commercial, Steve Mitchell.

“We know the number of Cowboys supporters in PNG is growing at a steady rate and the partnership with Trukai is definitely one of the reasons this is happening. We’re very happy that Trukai has signed on for another two years and that we’ll be able to further strengthen our ties with the PNG community who are great supporters of rugby league and the Cowboys.”

Trukai’s sales and marketing manager Andrew Daubney said: “We see benefits for not only ourselves but also for the Papua New Guinea community, as well as the Cowboys.”

“It’s well known that PNG is mad for rugby league and it’s fitting that we are involved so closely with the NRL team which is closest to us – the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys.”

“We believe our partnership with the Cowboys helps develop the game of rugby league in PNG and also greatly helps the work we do within the community on health and well-being issues.”

“After such a good season in 2011, we’re looking forward to next year and seeing the Cowboys again challenge for the NRL premiership.”