Retailer Centra has announced a second year as official sponsor of the Ulster Rugby U19 clubs' team on the back of the squad's success in the 2009 Interprovincial series.
Since April 2008 Centra has sponsored the Ulster Rugby Summer Camps which take place throughout the province and last year moved to support the U19’s team a result of the successful partnership between Ulster Rugby and Centra’s network of retailers.
The Ulster U19 clubs’ XV 2009 squad were crowned Interprovincial champions and the 2010 team is hopeful for the current championships. They kick off their Inter-provincial campaign against the Irish Exiles in Belfast, with a further two matches taking place against Munster and Leinster by the end of September.
Following the Inter-provincial series, players will be eligible for selection to the Ulster U20s development squad as well as to the Irish U20 development squad which will train towards the Junior World Cup in 2011.
The sponsorship deal with Centra involves branded kit for players, as well as match programme and on-pitch advertising at Ravenhill.
Ulster Rugby’s Commercial Manager Simon Wallace commented: “We are delighted that Centra has confirmed a second year as sponsor of the Ulster Under 19 Clubs’ XV for the 2010-11 season. Now in the third year of a very successful sponsorship of the Ulster Rugby Summer Camps, Centra has shown a strong commitment to grass roots rugby and to the future development of the professional game in Ulster.”
Centra’s Catherine English added: “Centra is pleased to announce its continued support of Ulster Rugby and particularly a further year of sponsorship of the Ulster Under 19s. The success of last years team was cause for celebration, for both Ulster Rugby and Centra. We wish the new squad the best of luck for the championships.
She continued;“Centra retailers are proud to be taking a lead role in the development of our future rugby stars, who could come through either the summer camps or the U19s. Our sponsorship of Ulster Rugby youth projects also fits neatly with Centra’s other community partnerships, which aim to improve the health and well-being of young people, including Action Cancer’s school health programme and the DOE Cycling Proficiency Scheme.”
