The Rugby Football Union (RFU) today announced a long-term partnership with Secure Trading, specialists in online payment processing.
The four-year agreement will see Secure Trading become the Principal Partner to England Sevens, and become front-of-shirt sponsor of the men’s and women’s senior England Sevens squads.
Secure Trading’s support for rugby sevens in England will extend to the RFU’s grassroots initiative ‘24/Sevens’ which launched in 2016. They will become the title sponsor of this exciting community sevens series which aims to continue to grow sevens rugby and increase participation. By aligning existing domestic sevens tournaments, the competition has created consistent playing opportunities for sevens players at grassroots level with over 6,000 players participating in 2016. The new Secure Trading 24/Sevens Series comprises several tiers of competition with a local and regional qualifying stage, culminating in a national final which will take place on 29 July in Bath.
As part of the new partnership, Secure Trading will also have branding rights at the Mitsubishi Motors Exeter Sevens, which takes place at Sandy Park on 15-16 July 2017. The tournament forms part of the wider Rugby Europe Sevens Grand Prix Series and brings together the best international rugby sevens teams from across Europe.
Ian Ritchie, RFU Chief Executive said: “This is a fantastic time for Secure Trading to join us as an official partner of the RFU at what is an exciting time for rugby sevens. The partnership will cover the grassroots to the elite end of the game and we very much look forward to the exciting initiatives that this relationship will bring on all levels.”
“We’re thrilled to be principal sponsors of England Sevens – an exciting sport that we recognise is only growing in popularity – and it aligns perfectly with our belief that a good team is the key to victory,” said Gerald Kitchen, President of Secure Trading. “We understand that whether it is on the pitch or in payments, making a number of moving parts work together in complete synergy requires hard work, skill and determination. As we embark on our latest growth phase as a company, it will be this that becomes our own recipe for success.”
Report courtesy of the RFU
