The Ospreys will unveil one of the most valuable shirts in UK rugby when they take the wraps off their brand new 2007/08 jersey at the Liberty Stadium Today.
OSPREYS TO UNVEIL ONE OF RUGBY"â¬â¢S MOST VALUABLE SHIRTS AT LIBERTY STADIUM
The Magners League champions will have the logo of headline sponsors npower renewables emblazoned across the chest of the new-look shirt, after the UK"â¬â¢s leading green energy developer and operator reaffirmed its commitment to the region last week, announcing a new one year deal valued at £180,000, the largest individual sponsorship in Welsh regional rugby. The new shirt will be unveiled at a press conference attended by Ospreys stars such as Justin Marshall, Shane Williams and James Hook, as well as senior management at the region and sponsors representatives.
The Kooga manufactured shirt boasts a massive sponsorship value of £650,000, believed to be the highest figure of any northern hemisphere club or regional side, surpassing last year"â¬â¢s figure by an incredible £150,000. The region has also secured new deals that will see the logos of secondary sponsors Persimmon Homes, Worthington"â¬â¢s, John West, Taylor Regional Foods, Trade Centre Wales, Trade Depot, Cuddy Group and Solo Service Group present on the shirt, along with Stadium Motors on the shorts.
Ospreys Joint Managing Director Mike Cuddy commented:"â¬ÅWe are delighted to be able to confirm such a lucrative sponsorship package ahead of the 2007/08 season, that will help us to build on the enormous success we enjoyed last season, on and off the pitch, culminating in us reaching our first major cup final and reclaiming the Magners League title.
"â¬ÅIn order for us to firmly secure our status as one of European rugby"â¬â¢s leading outfits, it is vital that we seek out and identify new revenue streams. With the support of the businesses that are backing us financially through this sponsorship, everybody at the Ospreys is confident that last season can be a stepping-stone to even greater success this time around."â¬Â
Kevin McCullough, Managing Director of npower renewables said:"â¬ÅSponsorship of the Ospreys was a first for npower renewables, so as we enter our third year as primary sponsors of the region, we are obviously delighted that it has been such a success. The new deal in place for the coming season will see us investing in a broad range of initiatives that will benefit communities through rugby at all levels from top flight to grass roots throughout the Ospreys region."â¬Â Roger Blyth, Ospreys Joint Managing Director, added:"â¬ÅWe have enjoyed a very productive relationship with npower renewables over the last two seasons that has benefited the rugby community across the whole of Ospreylia and we are looking forward to taking this to another level through 2007/08. "â¬ÅIn addition, we are grateful to Worthington"â¬â¢s, John West, Cuddy Group and Trade Centre Wales for agreeing to continue their sponsorship of the Ospreys and are delighted to welcome on board our new sponsors, Persimmon Homes, Taylor"â¬â¢s Regional Foods, Trade Depot, Stadium Motors and Solo Service Group."â¬Â
SPONSORS COMMENTS:
Worthington 's
A spokesman for Worthington"â¬â¢s said: "â¬ÅAs part of our commitment to regional rugby, Worthington's are proud to sponsor the Ospreys, alongside our various grassroots rugby associations and help develop players of the future. Worthington's is the number one ale in Wales and supplies a large number of rugby clubs in Wales and the South West."â¬Â
Persimmon Homes
Steve Williams, Deputy Managing Director said: "â¬Å Persimmon Wales have had a very long association in the Swansea and Neath area and currently has 6 developments in the region. We see the sponsorship of the Ospreys as an indication of our ongoing commitment to the area and the exposure it will give us can only enhance our reputation locally."â¬Â Taylors Regional Foods
George Taylor, Taylors Regional Foods, said: "â¬ÅThe Directors of Taylors Regional Foods are delighted to become official sponsors of the Ospreys for the coming season.
We are proud to be supporting one of Europe's top Rugby clubs and look forward to seeing them in action over the coming months. This sponsorship deal fits our philosophy of supporting Welsh businesses, communities and their economies.
Cuddy Group
Mike Cuddy, Managing Director said: 'I'm delighted that Cuddy Group has been able to continue our support of the region through sponsorship once again. These are exciting times for the Ospreys with the region continuing to go from strength to strength, and we are pleased to be able to share in this success."
John West
Andrew Gidden, John West, said: "â¬ÅWe admire the ambition of the Ospreys and congratulate them for their recent success. The Ospreys have a great future and John West wants to make sure the players get the best seafood on that journey."â¬Â
Solo Service Group
Caroline Cooper, Director, Solo Service Group, said: "â¬ÅBeing a Swansea based company, we are very proud to be associated with the Ospreys for the coming season and would like to wish the management and players the best of luck for the season ahead"â¬Â. Trade Centre Wales
Steve Richards, Financial Director said: "We are delighted to be a shirt sponsor with the Ospreys. As one of South Wales"â¬â¢ leading car businesses with its main head office in Neath, we want to support the club in any way we can as they go forward into the coming season. We believe it is vitally important for businesses in Wales to put something back into their local communities, and nothing has a higher profile in this part of Wales than rugby and in particular the Ospreys. Rugby is also a business today, and this is good for Neath & Swansea. We are very pleased to be part of their success, and contribute towards it." Trade Depot
Paul Jones, Business Development Manager said: "â¬ÅAs a local business, we believe it is essential to support the local community and are extremely proud to be associated with the Ospreys and look forward to an extremely successful season."â¬Â
Stadium Motors
Norman Thomas, Sales Director, said: "â¬ÅAs a business serving Neath and Swansea, we are delighted to be sponsoring the Ospreys, Wales"â¬â¢ leading region. Like us, they are leading their way in their own line of business, and we hope that this will be a long and profitable partnership for both parties."â¬Â