Munster Rugby Join Forces With Marks & Spencer

Munster Rugby today announced a new three-year partnership with Marks & Spencer, the major multinational retailer with 17 stores in Ireland, four of which are in Munster.

The partnership will see Marks & Spencer become sponsors of Munster’s Community Rugby programme.

The Marks & Spencer Munster Community Rugby programme is the very foundation of rugby in the province, providing resources across the six counties so that the sport remains accessible and engaging to all.

Marks and Spencers' Head of Brand and Marketing Nathan Ansell and Ray O'Callaghan, Cork Store Manager with the U-12s of Crosshaven and Killorglin at the launch of the new partnership

In forming the partnership, Marks & Spencer will support the Community team of eight full-time Community Rugby Officers and 10 part-time Club Community Rugby Officers. These rugby officers provide services to clubs, schools and communities at every level in the province and work with over 15,000 children who take part in rugby activities each season.

Marks & Spencer will also sponsor the half-time mini rugby matches, a focal point of Munster’s home games, as well as supporting over 100 blitzes which are held for clubs and schools each season.

Speaking about the new partnership, Garrett Fitzgerald, CEO of Munster Rugby said: “We are delighted to welcome a brand as prestigious as Marks & Spencer to Munster Rugby. Such a partnership speaks volumes about how the organisation is performing on and off the pitch and it allows us to further develop our community rugby programme which is vital to our growth and success.

“This initiative has come about through the ongoing vital work of our Commercial Board chaired by Niall FitzGerald, and is one of a growing number of inputs they have had in ensuring that Munster Rugby are at the forefront of European Rugby”.

Nathan Ansell, Marks & Spencer's Head of Brand and Marketing, added: “Marks & Spencer has a long and proud history of playing an active role in the Irish communities we’ve served over the last 35 years. We are tremendously excited about this partnership with Munster Rugby as it gives us a great opportunity to make a positive difference to the lives of thousands of young people and help develop the next generation of rugby talent in Ireland.”