Sports brand is official supplier to University rugby tournament
The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has teamed up with international rugby brand Canterbury of New Zealand for the fourth year of its successful floodlit cup tournament.
The sports apparel company that originates from New Zealand is the official kit supplier of the rugby union UCLan Sport Under 16's Floodlit Cup Tournament, where 24 schools from across the North compete in the competition organised by the University.
Canterbury of New Zealand will supply 40 match balls and full kit to 20 referees and support staff involved with the tournament. For each month of the competition between September and December one player will be identified by UCLan based on their own merits and receive £30 RRP of kit courtesy of Canterbury.
It is the fourth year that UCLan will run the weekly tournament, hosted by Preston Grasshoppers RUFC, which allows schools from Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside, Yorkshire and the North East to compete against each other in a high standard of rugby.
The schools involved in the competition benefit from video match analysis, sports therapy and match reports provided by sport and journalism students from UCLan. The Rugby Football Union (RFU) will also use the tournament as a platform to select players for selection in the North of England team.
Tournament organiser and UCLan Sports coaching lecturer, Nick Passenger, commented: "We are thrilled to have Canterbury of New Zealand on board for the next UCLan Sport Under 16's Floodlit Cup Tournament. The competition has gone from strength to strength over the last few years and the addition of such a well-established brand will enhance it further."
The schools will benefit from the latest equipment and technology as well as receiving support from UCLan students, who in turn gain practical skills that they can take into industry.
Ken Moore from Preston Grasshoppers RUFC commented: "In 2005 the Club was delighted to take over from Liverpool St Helens as hosts of this prestigious and unique competition that has been running for over 20 years."
"It reflects Preston Grasshopper's commitment to youth rugby and allows the school teams to have a taste of senior club rugby in a professional environment and to meet new opponents.
"Since UCLan became involved the competition has gone from strength to strength and now that a company of Canterbury's stature is adding support, I am sure that it will move on to even greater things."
A highlights video of the competition will also be published monthly on the Canterbury of New Zealand Facebook page, which already has over 52,000 followers and is likely to increase with the start of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
A spokesperson from Canterbury of New Zealand commented: "We are pleased to be involved with the UCLan U16's Floodlit Tournament and are keen to support such competitions that showcase and develop school rugby. We look forward to working with UCLan to ensure that the tournament is a success this year."
The tournament begins on the 14 September with the final taking place 1 February 2012. The Manchester Society will supply all referees for the competition and test a new microphone technology before it is used in the professional game.