Rugby fans flock to Sunsail stand at London Boatshow to see NEC Harlequins 8/1/07
Sunsail signs up as Platinum sponsor of rugby union team NEC Harlequins.
Fresh from their 9-3 win against Bath this weekend (and the celebrations that followed!) a weary-looking first team turned out en-mass to mark Sunsail’s sponsorship partnership announcement.
As well as recognising that there was a big crossover between rugby players, those who watch it, and sailors Sunsail decided it was the perfect opportunity to get involved. Commenting about the interesting sponsorship announcement Simon Conder – Sunsail’s marketing manager – said: “The Quins, as a club are very family orientated and they will always have families coming to the club. Some of the players do have experience of sailing and Sunsail holidays and we’re hoping to be able to tell more people about the family holiday and get them out at a resort. We are also particularly interested in supporting the Quin Community project which aims to encourage youngsters into the sport so that’s an area we sponsor as well.”
To find out what the team thought of the idea, yachtingworld.com spoke NEC Harlequin’s top man, team manager Dean ‘Deano’ Richards: “We had a good day yesterday and a good night from what I can gather. But it’s good to be here at the boatshow. We’re delighted that Sunsail are onboard with us. I think there’s a huge crossover between sailing and rugby. I know quite a few of our players have sailed quite a bit. I was brought up in the Midlands so to be honest I’ve not done too much so I’m really looking forward to being able take up the offer of going out to one of the clubs and doing a spot of sailing.”
As well as signing specially-produced Sunsail rugby balls during their visit to the show and giving away Quins prizes the team seemed relaxed and happy to chat to the many fans who’d turned out specially for the occasion. Yachtingworld.com even managed to sneak ‘Deano’ along to the next-door stand to have a look at the BMW Oracle America’s Cup yacht and provide him with a taster of what it’s like to stand at the wheel and grinder of such an amazing beast.