Energia has extended its partnership with Connacht Rugby for a further two years, with the renewal also providing the platform for an expansion of its Rugby for All programme across the province.

The energy company will continue as Official Energy Partner of Connacht Rugby, building on a relationship that began in 2024.

The partnership extension has been accompanied by a new collaboration with Galway-based charity Ability West, aimed at increasing opportunities for children with intellectual disabilities and autism to participate in rugby.

The initiative began earlier this summer through Ability West’s Camp Ability programme and represents the first expansion of Energia’s Rugby for All initiative into Connacht.

Energia originally launched Rugby for All with Leinster Rugby in 2023, focusing on making rugby more accessible to people with physical or learning differences.

The Connacht programme was celebrated at the closing ceremony of Camp Ability at Dexcom Stadium, where new Connacht signing and Energia ambassador Will Connors was joined by Rugby for All ambassador Ronan Mitchell.

Also introduced were Connacht Rugby’s new Energia Culture Captains, Niamh Mitchell and Matthew Forde, who are supported by Ability West.

The Culture Captains programme is another element of the wider inclusion strategy and will give Niamh and Matthew opportunities to engage with players, coaches and staff at Connacht Rugby throughout the coming season.

The closing event also featured a live performance from Leo Moran of The Saw Doctors, while four All-Ireland-winning Galway LGFA players met participants and their families. Those attending were also given a behind-the-scenes tour of Dexcom Stadium.

Throughout the summer, Connacht players including Sean O’Brien, Shane Jennings and John Devine visited Ability West camps in Galway.

Camp Ability provides children with intellectual disabilities and autism opportunities to participate in activities, build friendships, and experience an inclusive summer camp environment, while also providing respite for families.

Lorna Danaher, Sponsorship and Events Manager with Energia, said the company was looking forward to deepening its Connacht Rugby relationship through Rugby for All.

“Our first two years with Connacht Rugby were brilliant, and we cannot wait to deepen the partnership in the coming years through our Rugby for All platform.”

Martin Fallon, Sponsorship Manager at Connacht Rugby, said the expansion would create opportunities for more players with additional needs to experience the sport across Connacht’s five counties.

Energia’s involvement in Irish rugby now stretches back eight years. It is an official partner of the Energia All-Ireland League, the IRFU and Leinster Rugby, alongside its Connacht Rugby partnership.

Sport for Business Perspective

This is a good example of a sponsorship renewal being used to extend a partnership beyond conventional branding and commercial rights.

Energia has steadily built a broad position in Irish rugby since first entering the sport in 2018, and the Rugby for All platform gives that investment an increasingly clear social purpose.

Bringing Ability West into the Connacht relationship also gives the programme a strong local delivery partner rather than attempting to impose a national initiative from the centre.

For Connacht Rugby, it extends the club’s reach into communities that have historically had fewer opportunities to participate in organised rugby, while the Culture Captains concept provides a visible and personal connection between the programme and the professional game.

It is an extension that strengthens Energia’s rugby portfolio commercially while also demonstrating how a long-term sponsorship can evolve into a platform for participation and inclusion.

 

 

 

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Image Credit: Energia and Inpho.ie

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