In competitive sport home advantage is always a plus and Elverys Intersport have won back one of their major home teams in the West of Ireland from rival Lifestyle Sports with the resigning of Connacht Rugby as title sponsor and official retail partner.
The new three-year deal will re-establish Elverys’ relationship with Connacht Rugby dating back to 2005.
Connacht had its most successful season in 2015/16 with the professional side winning the Guinness PRO12 competition and its first trophy in 131 years. That success was rewarded with a record seven Connacht players featuring on Ireland’s recent tour to South Africa.
That they achieved this success wearing Lifestyle branding was likely a thorn in the side for Elverys, based in Mayo and a long term advocate and supporter of sport in the region.
The new Connacht range for the upcoming season will feature the Elverys Intersport branding and will be launched in late July.
Speaking about the sponsorship Elverys Intersport Chief Executive Patrick Rowland highlighted that the opportunity to re-establish a relationship with Connacht was a perfect fit for Elverys:
‘’We believe that this is a great opportunity given our roots in the West of Ireland to launch a partnership with a local organisation who also have a significant national and international presence. Connacht Rugby mirror our ambition to be the best and most successful brand in each of our respective sectors.”
“Down through the years we have been involved with Connacht Rugby at all levels of the game throughout the province, having previously sponsored the professional team, the Connacht Schools Cup, the Connacht junior team, as well as a number of All Ireland League clubs. Our heart is in Connacht and this is well reflected in our backing of Connacht Rugby,” added Buying & Marketing Director of Elverys Intersport, Loman Caulfield
“Everyone at Connacht Rugby is delighted to welcome Elverys Intersport as our title sponsor and official retail partner in what is a very exciting time for the entire province,” said Willie Ruane, Connacht Rugby CEO.
“We believe Elverys Intersport share our strong commitment to our community and we look forward to working together and representing the real ambition and belief that is so very clearly part of Connacht as a people and a place.”
