Royal & SunAlliance (R&SA) and the Rugby Football Union (RFU) have today announced a further extension to its SEE U @ RUG B grass roots programme.
R&SA will become the title sponsor of the first National U15 10-Aside Festival which will be held in Manchester on 5 & 6 May. Attended by players all over England, the final day of the two day festival will be held at Manchester’s Commonwealth Games stadium and will be treated as a ‘test’ event for the rugby sevens competition in the Games later this year. It is the first major event to be staged in the Manchester Commonwealth Games Stadium.
The R&SA National U15 10-Aside Festival will be in three strands. An U15 boys festival, a girls festival and a festival of teams from the social inclusion projects run under the SEE U @ RUG B banner*. Nearly 1000 children, aged between 12-15 will be in action over the two days.
In recognition of this important grass roots initiative, Sportsmatch*, the Government – funded scheme, designed to attract new sponsorship money into
grass roots sports development, has awarded SEE U @ RUG B a maximum grant of £50,000 in the first year of the programme.
John Hymers, R&SA Sponsorship Manager commented: ‘ We launched the SEE U @ RUG B sponsorship in January with a series of Development Days and school based initiatives. This Festival is a natural extension to this activity as it involves many of the people we hope to attract to the sport including teams from social inclusion areas as well as girls. For some, it will be their first opportunity to participate in an organised sports competition and experience the camaraderie of being in a team.’
Terry Burwell, RFU Community Rugby & Operations Director said: ‘This is one of the most exciting events the RFU has developed, bringing together over 1000 boys and girls to play in a Rugby Festival. Linking to the Commonwealth Games and the fantastic Commonwealth & Manchester stadium creates a unique event in the youth sporting calendar. Everyone involved is looking forward to a great weekend of sport and social opportunity.’
Mike Reynolds, Sportsmatch Director added: ‘Sportsmatch is pleased to give our maximum award to this project. An imaginative sponsor, Royal & Sun Alliance, has supported a very positive grass roots programme which will have social as well as sporting benefits.’
For further information please contact:
Anne-Marie Gleeson
PR Consultant
Royal & SunAlliance
T: 01 403 231 598
E:Anne-Marie.Gleeson@uk.royalsun.com
John Perera
Matrix Sports Marketing
T: O207 821 1166
E: Jperera@taplowvillage.freeserve.co.uk