Bank of Ireland will become an “official partner” of the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) as part of a five-year agreement that will complement its existing deals with the provinces.
The bank will partner with Irish rugby’s governing body and the national teams until the end of the 2027/28 seasons while continuing its long-standing sponsorship deals with Connacht Rugby, Leinster Rugby, Munster Rugby and Ulster Rugby.
In a statement, Bank of Ireland said the new deal would allow the company to “make a strong contribution to the future development of the game at a national level by supporting investment in the national men’s and women’s sides.”
Bank of Ireland has sponsored rugby in Ireland for the past 25 years, from grassroots, schools and club rugby up to the provincial level, and the bank said the sport makes a positive contribution to communities right across the island of Ireland.
Speaking about the announcement, Bank of Ireland CEO Myles O’Grady said the new deal was important to the company.
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“It builds on our more than two decades of support for rugby in Ireland, from the grassroots to the provinces, up to the national men’s and women’s game,” he continued.
“It is our ambition that this partnership with the IRFU will help continue the growth of rugby at all levels and the nation’s enjoyment of it.
“Our national teams have enjoyed huge success over the last number of years, and particularly in recent weeks. We’re very proud of all they have achieved and will be cheering – and willing – them on to even more success this weekend.”
Kevin Potts, CEO of the IRFU, added: “There are great similarities between our organisations, particularly with the importance we both place on delivering for our stakeholders including our supporters and communities.
“We look forward to enjoying many shared successes on and off the field over the coming years.”
The IRFU recently renewed its deals with kit supplier Canterbury and Vodafone, the main shirt sponsor of the men’s national team, for a further four years. The organisation took in commercial revenue of €12.7m last year.
Source: Business Plus