The Exeter Daily - rugby

Exeter Chiefs announce Sika as new main club partner

Exeter News Blog — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 16:45:43 +0000

Exeter Chiefs are pleased to announce that Sika UK have joined the club as main club partner for the 2024/25 season in a deal which will also see the company become the new front of shirt sponsor.

Sika’s logo will feature on the front of all three men’s matchday kits for the new season. In addition, Sika have become the new principal community partner, supporting the club in its extensive outreach work across the south-west.

Truly looking to cement their connection with the club, Sika will sponsor Welsh international and team captain Dafydd Jenkins for the season.

Renowned for their innovation and quality within the construction, industrial manufacturing, automotive manufacturing and DIY sector, Sika are a company Chiefs are proud to work with so closely.

Tom Forsyth, General Manager at Sika, said: “At Sika, our ethos is all about generating lasting added value. As we look forward, we want to take this beyond the construction industry and apply it to the wider community.

“We understand the important role of clubs like Exeter Chiefs and the outstanding contribution they provide in supporting grassroots initiatives and local talent.

“Therefore, it’s an ideal fit for us to support the club during what is tipped to be a fantastic season. We look forward to cheering the teams on from the sidelines and witnessing as the club continues to make its mark on the local sports scene.”

Tony Rowe CBE, Chairman and CEO of Exeter Chiefs, said: “For an international company the size and reputation of Sika to become our main club partner highlights the incredible development and reach of the Chiefs brand.

“Sika’s strong set of values and principles which makes up the DNA of the company are to be admired and many of which are reflected in how we run Exeter Rugby Club, so this really is a perfect match.”

Sam Blake, Head of Sales and Marketing of Exeter Chiefs, said: “This partnership brings Sika into every aspect of the club, from shirt and player sponsorship to support for the community team which will help to bring rugby values to thousands of children across the south-west.”

The sponsorship agreement will also see Sika’s branding displayed on the club website, in matchday programmes and across Sandy Park stadium – from dugouts and pitch LED panels to the central billboard and corporate hospitality box.

Fans will be able to see the brand new front of shirt sponsor on the new kit at the launch at the three different pre-season friendlies scheduled to take place at Sandy Park – starting with a summer double header on Saturday, August 24.

Devon schools and rugby clubs given chance to win free equipment

News Desk — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 23:16:43 +0000

Schools and junior rugby clubs in Devon have the opportunity to win free specialist training equipment provided by the same company that supplies some of the leading nations and clubs in the world.

With the Six Nations now in full flow, clubs across the county have the chance to win a free training pack from Aramis, including a tackle shield and ten specialist training balls designed to develop passing and help promote attacking, running rugby.

Aramis Rugby, a family-run business based in South Molton, provided training, grounds, and fitness equipment to all 20 teams at last year’s Rugby World Cup and is also an official partner of the Italian, Fijian, and Samoa national teams.

With Aramis’ partners Italy currently taking part in the Six Nations, the company looks to continue its commitment to growing the game at grassroots level by running a competition for local Devon clubs and schools to gain access to world-leading training equipment.

Coupled with its workin the professional game, Aramis Rugby provides training equipment and kit to hundreds of grassroots clubs across Europe, but Devon is one of its key areas, with more clubs in the region turning to it for specialist equipment than almost anywhere else in the UK.

Roshni Mahajan, sales director at Aramis Rugby, said: “It has been absolutely amazing to be supplying equipment to the best teams and players in world rugby and seeing so many of our products being used at the Rugby World Cup is something everyone at the company is incredibly proud of.

“As a family-run business Aramis Rugby is built around the very best values and whenever we begin working with a new professional club, or partner with an international team, we also think carefully about how we can use that success to support the growth of the game and help grassroots teams.

“We wanted to celebrate our involvement at the World Cup by offering schools and junior rugby teams in our key areas the chance to win free equipment similar to that used in France, so have launched a competition here in Devon doing just that.”

Aramis Rugby is offering a free training pack to one lucky school or junior club, including tackle bags and specialist training balls designed to develop passing and help promote attacking, running rugby.

To be in with a chance of winning, schools or junior clubs simply need to email Aramis Rugby’s PR partner at hello@newreach.uk with your school or club name, where you are based and contact details.

One winner will be randomly selected and then notified by email, if successful, on 26 February.

Mahajan added: “We know schools and junior clubs rely heavily on volunteers and sometimes struggle for equipment, so we’re keen to do our bit in helping clubs spread a love of the game, help more children get active, and maybe produce some future internationals along the way.”

For more information on Aramis Rugby, visit: www.aramisrugby.co.uk.

Warrens Bakery raise over £2,000 for Wooden Spoon charity

News Desk — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 23:15:09 +0000

Warrens Bakery, the oldest Cornish Pasty maker in the world, is thrilled to announce they have raised over £2,000 for the rugby charity Wooden Spoon, as part of their Christmas campaign, ‘Naughty or Nice’.

The campaign, which ran throughout the whole of December, saw the ultimate battle of the pasties with customers being asked to choose between the Traditional Cornish ‘Nice’ Pasty or the Festive Turkey and Cranberry ‘Naughty’ Pasty, with 10p from all the Festive Pasty purchases donated to the children’s rugby charity Wooden Spoon.

Over 10,000 Festive Turkey and Cranberry pasties were sold over the Christmas period, culminating in a donation of £1,070.40, which has been matched by Warrens totalling £2,140.80, with the full amount going towards Wooden Spoons’ Disability Tag Rugby Festival taking place this summer. The donations are a vital contribution to the tournament and will go towards sponsoring children to take part, as well as training and kit costs.

Warrens Bakery, who are huge supporters of the rugby community, also recently announced their partnership with Penzance and Newlyn RFC Youth Section, providing 475 sausage rolls, 45 vegan rolls and 120 Christmas biscuits to the Mini and Junior Section, and their opponents.

Louise Batty, Marketing Manager at Warrens Bakery, said: “We are happy that we have managed to raise this amount of money for Wooden Spoon through our ‘Naughty or Nice’ Christmas campaign. Supporting the youth rugby community and grassroots sports is very important to us and to be able to help give children the opportunity to take part in Wooden Spoons’ Tag Rugby Disability Festival is a great feeling. We would like to thank everyone who purchased a Festive pasty and helped contribute to this important cause.”

Sarah Webb, CEO Wooden Spoon, added: “We’ve been bowled over by the support from Warren’s Bakery in helping us make the Wooden Spoon’s Disability Tag Festival a reality this Summer. Wooden Spoon’s Disability Tag festival is now literally powered by pasties, allowing hundreds of children living with disabilities the chance to ‘be rugby players’ and to experience the joy and benefits of team sport.”

For further information about Warrens Bakery, follow warrens_bakery on Instagram and Warrens Bakery on Facebook.

Exeter Chiefs take part in rugby mental health charity fundraising weekend

Exeter News Blog — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 10:39:31 +0000

Restart Round is returning this December with a round of Gallagher Premiership Rugby fixtures dedicated to raising awareness and funds for the Rugby Players Association’s official charity.

This season, Round Eight of fixtures from 1-3 December 2023 will form Restart Round. Included in this will be Exeter’s away clash against Bath Rugby on 2 December where the charity will feature across gameday activations. Alongside this, each Gallagher Premiership Rugby club will help raise funds by hosting auctions and raffles that fans can get involved in.

Exeter’s Rory O’Loughlin, who is a Restart Ambassador for this season, said: “Restart Round brings together clubs and rugby communities to support players who really need the charity’s help. This weekend is about raising vital funds for their confidential counselling service to provide emotional support to those players battling with mental health issues. Please join me in support Restart Round 2023.”

Restart is the official charity of the RPA, dedicated to supporting professional rugby players suffering from serious injury, illness or hardship. The charity provides financial and practical support to players and their families during difficult times.

Restart’s mental health services include the charity paying for a confidential helpline as a first touch point for any of its players, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and accessible from anywhere in the country. The service then offers further access to a trained professional who will be able to provide the support and help needed. Restart also provides tailored support by funding clinical treatment sessions with counsellors specialised in different areas of mental health and wellbeing either over the phone or face to face.

Former Sale, and Northampton lock Christian Day, who is now General Secretary at The RPA, said: “In light of the challenges surrounding the sport off the pitch in recent years, the need for further mental health support has proven to be essential. Rugby players are people too, and despite the honour of being able to represent their clubs or nations on the greatest stage, there is real importance in placing mental wellbeing first.

“We wanted to dedicate this year’s Restart Round to highlighting the important of mental wellbeing and stress, that the services are there for current and former players to use as and when they need. Mental Health support is available to all RPA members should they ever need it.”

Restart has also been announced at the official charity partner of the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final 2024 on 8 June at Twickenham Stadium.

If you’d like to learn more about Restart, or to donate, visit www.restartrugby.org.uk

Hospiscare Men's Walk 2024

AliceHospiscare — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 08:43:22 +0000

Join the Hospiscare team at Double Locks or walk your own route on Saturday 9 March to raise vital funds for your local hospice.

All of your Men’s Walk favourites are back for 2024, including a 7-mile walk, a pint courtesy of Exeter Brewery, a delicious pasty from Chunk of Devon and of course the rugby – promising a great day out in support of Hospiscare.

The only thing missing is you, so don’t miss out! Come together to help local people and families living with terminal illness, put your best foot forward and help raise vital funds for Hospiscare. Sign up today, get fundraising and help fund all-important end-of-life care across the heart of Devon.

Sign up before midnight on 1 January 2024 to be in with a chance of winning a pair of Exeter Chiefs tickets. For all competition details and terms and conditions https://www.hospiscare.co.uk/mens-walk-competition-terms-and-conditions/

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Event Date

Saturday, March 9, 2024 - 11:00am to 7:00pm

Venue

Double Locks, Canal Banks, Exeter EX2 6LT

Inspirational Exeter Chiefs star shortlisted for a 2023 Premiership Rugby HITZ Award

Exeter News Blog — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 11:15:09 +0000

Callum Douglas from the Exeter Chiefs HITZ programme, has been recognised for his achievements on and off the pitch with a nomination for the Academic Achiever Award at the this year’s Premiership Rugby HITZ Awards.

A young star with a story of self-discipline, commitment and courage, Callum has worked against all odds to improve his own life and the lives of others within the inclusive environment, fondly referred to by its participants as the ‘HITZ family’.

This award recognises the journey a young person on HITZ has taken in their academic development. It also acknowledges the personal pathway the learner has taken since joining the programme and how far they have come.

Angelique Aldworth, HITZ Manager from Exeter Chiefs said: “We are incredibly proud of Callum for being shortlisted and for his hard work which has been recognised.

"We have an amazing team here at Exeter Chiefs and we couldn’t deliver the HITZ programme without their support to set young people up for life, which has a positive impact not only on the individual but on our whole community “

Wayne Morris, Community & CSR Director at Premiership Rugby said: “Congratulations to all those shortlisted in this season’s HITZ awards. Over the last 15 years the success rate of the programme speaks for itself, HITZ has helped over 80% of the learners move on positively.

"The HITZ Awards are an annual celebration of just how much rugby can change lives and the difference HITZ makes. Everyone involved in the programme should feel proud of the impact that they have made, and I look forward to celebrating together at Twickenham in November.”

Callum joined HITZ with no educational qualifications and consequently, his self-esteem was at an all-time low.

As a young person diagnosed with autism and battling severe anxiety, he has historically struggled to ask for help, particularly in academic settings, with fears of being ridiculed or labelled as ‘stupid’. In just one year of being on the HITZ programme, Callum has committed to transforming this cycle of thinking and made remarkable progress. As well as achieving a level 2 qualification in Employability and a GCSE pass in Maths, Callum has been recognised by his tutor for possessing an outstanding writing ability amongst HITZ learners.

Since joining HITZ, Callum has achieved a GCSE grade 6 in English, compared to a grade 3 when he left at school. Making the most of what the HITZ programme has to offer, Callum consistently shows up as his best self and demonstrates the key skills of organisation and communication which are necessary for remaining focused on achieving goals. Optimistic for what is to come, he is using this second chance at education to broaden his prospects. Following HITZ, he aspires to work in a technology-based job alongside working towards further education qualifications in Media Studies.

HITZ is Premiership Rugby’s flagship education and employability programme which for 15 years has supported young people to make positive change in their lives. Working with more than 2,000 14–24-year-olds across England every year, the programme uses rugby’s core values to develop invaluable personal, life and employability skills, that help young people get back into education, training, apprenticeships and/or employment.

Participants on the programme learn in an environment different to mainstream education where the core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline, and sportsmanship are at the heart of the delivery. The results are life changing

This season, the HITZ programme celebrates its 15th anniversary.

HITZ began in a field in Hackney back in 2008 and has evolved into the education and employability programme that we see today. In that time, it has achieved some huge milestones including over 22,000 enrolments and 83% progressing immediately into education, employment or training after their time with HITZ.

The Premiership Rugby HITZ Awards 2023 take place on 22nd November at Twickenham Stadium.