Bank of Ireland has agreed a five-year extension to its four Irish rugby provinces’ sponsorships across all levels in Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster. No details on the value of the new contract were disclosed. The new deals, all to run until 2028, extend the bank’s support for women’s rugby. As well as its current support for the Connacht, Leinster and Irish women’s sides, the bank will also back the Munster and Ulster women’s teams.
Laura Lynch, Bank of Ireland’s chief marketing officer, said: “Our long-standing commitment to supporting all levels of Irish rugby has steadily grown. We’re thrilled to extend our sponsorship for another five years. We aim to support the growth and development of the game, and ensure that players from local schools and clubs all the way up to the men’s and women’s provincial and national sides have every opportunity to #neverstopcompeting.”
Contracts
The renewal of the sponsorship coincides with an article in The Irish Times where Gerry Thornley highlights the IRFU’s contract system which allows Leinster certain advantages. Thornley wrote that Leinster will not have to pay anything towards the salaries of ten frontline international players, while the other provinces will have a combined three who fall into this category, and will have to fund the contracts of nine more players on their rosters.
On top of that, Leinster enjoy other advantages. Local schools provide a steady supply of young talent and can boast the biggest budget from the club’s premium games in the Champions Cup. It is estimated that last weekend’s quarter-final sell-out against La Rochelle at the Aviva stadium was worth over €1 million in ticket sales. They are also able to make marquee signings, most recently in RG Snyman and All Blacks utility back Jordie Barrett.
Pictured at the sponsorship announcement with Laura Lynch, Bank of Ireland, with Mack Hansen, Connacht; Jamison Gibson-Park, Leinster; Abby Moyles, Ulster and Kate Flannery, Munster
