Norwich Rugby Club Pulls In Sponsorship Deal

• Author: Mat Tillett
• Published: 27/08/2004

Alan Boswell Group Pledges Support for Local Rugby

Norwich Rugby Football Club has tied up a sponsorship deal with the Alan Boswell Group (ABG) for the 2004/2005 season. The renewed sponsorship is the third consecutive year that the company has supported Norwich's premier rugby club.

The sponsorship was confirmed recently when members of the 2004/2005 squad visited ABG's headquarters at Harbour House to pull in the deal.

NRFC secretary Roy Bishop was keen to emphasise just how important the sponsorship is to the Club. “The Alan Boswell Group's support is vital in helping us to promote rugby at both senior and junior levels. It allows us to plan for the future.

“After England's success at the Rugby World Cup we saw a massive rise in interest. This sponsorship gives us the ability to develop Norfolk youngsters' skills and attitudes – and, who knows, hopefully uncover a homegrown Jonny Wilkinson.”

Roy Bishop added that an unexpected benefit has been that the Alan Boswell Group's support has attracted more sponsorship from other sources: “The fact that we are underpinned by a high profile company has encouraged other sponsors and members to support us financially.”

Whilst this is the third year of ABG sponsorship, ABG managing director Alan Boswell's personal involvement in the club goes back rather longer. “Alan has been a member for thirty years,” says Roy Bishop, “in fact, he only stopped turning out for the seniors a few years ago.”

Norwich Rugby Sponsorship 2004 2005

As the NRFC squad and members of ABG staff cemented the deal in a tug of war contest (with predictable results), Alan Boswell said: “Today's been great fun and I'm delighted that some of the players were able to come and spend time with us to celebrate the sponsorship. Today's contest was their first match of the season, and an away win at that!”

Sponsorship of local sports has been a key element of the Group's marketing in recent years, during which time it has become the region's largest independent insurance and financial services organisation. Alongside rugby, the company is also supporting the Norfolk cricket and golf teams. “The sponsorships have been very successful in raising our regional profile, as well as giving us the opportunity to put something back into the community”, comments Alan Boswell. “We have an excellent relationship with NRFC, and long may it continue.”