Challenge Cup secure new sponsor
Saturday, 20th January 2007
One of Rugby League’s oldest and most prestigious tournaments, the Challenge Cup has secured Leeds Metropolitan University as its new major sponsor in a six year multi-million pound deal.
Leeds Met emerged as the best fit sponsor for the tournament, after a series of other British and European companies were knocked back by the RFL. As a result of the deal, the tournament will now be titled the Carnegie Challenge Cup.
The Challenge Cup, which was first formed in 1897, has become the premier Rugby League competition in Europe, featuring teams from England, France, Wales, Scotland and Russia. The new deal secures the international component of the tournament, as well as sees Leeds Met take over as sponsor for the Champion Schools tournament and Further Education and Sixth Form competitions.
Commenting on the exciting news, the RFL’s Executive Chairman Richard Lewis said: “We welcome Leeds Met Carnegie as the new primary partner of the sport’s most prestigious domestic knock-out tournament.
“The Carnegie Challenge Cup is once again set to be a thrilling tournament which involves teams from all levels of Rugby League and is a major element of the British sporting calendar.
“The agreement with Leeds Met Carnegie is an excellent commercial success for the tournament and the whole sport and we look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with Carnegie.”
Richard Lewis continued: “The partnership between Leeds Met Carnegie and ourselves is both ground-breaking and unique in sport. The RFL believes it is highly appropriate as there is a great deal of synergy between our organizational values and the values of the sport of Rugby League.
“With this proactive approach, Carnegie is leading the field in the development of national and international awareness of their brand and we are confident our partnership can bring many mutual benefits at many levels.
“The RFL also believes that the other elements of the partnership involving both sports performance and academic study are tremendously significant and show the progressive nature of the sport and the University.”
Leeds Met Vice-Chancellor Professor Simon Lee said, “The competition reflects the style of our Great North Uni, engaging families and communities from the UK and the wider world, and reflecting the ‘carnival’ atmosphere of the Wembley tradition which began around the time that our Carnegie College was founded.
“The 12 million TV viewers for the matches, let alone the later draws conducted live on BBC television and radio and the 90,000 at the new Wembley for the final, will learn more about Leeds Met Carnegie, including our commitment to students rubbing shoulders with champions and that we share the values of the RFL in our commitment to a family sport that is deep-rooted in communities but always pioneering.”
Significantly, the title sponsorship of the Carnegie Challenge Cup is among a number of exciting elements included in a major new partnership between Leeds Met and the RFL.
The University’s Carnegie Faculty of Sport & Education at Headingley Campus is to be the base for the Great Britain Rugby League squad’s technical staff and management as well as the new full time engage Super League match officials.
