Zoe Doyle collecting her medals at the European Masters Indoor Championship in 2017
Master Athlete Zoe Doyle is looking to brew up even more medal wins thanks to a new sponsorship deal with north east tea and coffee experts Ringtons.
Zoe Doyle is currently women’s over 35 National 3K and 800m Champion and 1500m European Champion after taking the title at the European Championship in 2017. Most recently, Zoe took home a Silver medal at the Indoor European Masters Athletics Championship in Madrid in the 5k Cross Country race, and her next big challenge is the World Outdoor Championship in Malaga this September.
The initial 24-month sponsorship deal with the Newcastle-based tea and coffee company, will see Zoe’s kit bearing the company’s own Leaf Lock logo. The Leaf Lock logo represents Ringtons’ unique tea preservation process which protects tea leaves and its natural flavour all the way from origin through to homes and businesses in the UK. The sponsorship links the company’s commitment to preservation and bringing the most out of natural ingredients, with Zoe’s athletic ambitions and commitment to a healthy lifestyle and Ringtons tea will also be sampled at key races throughout the season.
Despite her own health complications including an auto immune liver condition (which she is now in full remission from), several stress injuries and even being advised not to run by a specialist due to shallow hip sockets, Zoe has attributed her running success and overcoming medical concerns to her healthy lifestyle and positive attitude.
Zoe is based in Berkhamsted but heralds from the north east of England where Ringtons was first founded by her great, great grandfather Samuel Smith in 1907. Today the company employs over 500 people across its traditional doorstep delivery service, Beverages for Business out-of-home division, online store, privately owned tea and coffee packing facilities and third-party packing operation.
Speaking of the sponsorship Zoe said: “I’m incredibly proud of Ringtons, the impact it’s had on local communities and what my family members have achieved in growing the business over the last 111 years. I came into running relatively late, having initially taken it up as a hobby just four years ago, but through preservation I managed to progress to semi-professional status very quickly. As my 40th birthday approaches, I will be moving into the veteran category and the sponsorship from Ringtons is not only enabling me to compete in even more competitions, but I now feel I can fly the flag a little more for the family business, which I’m incredibly proud of.”
Nigel Smith, Ringtons Chairman added: “My great-grandfather was a renowned philanthropist in the north east of England and was particularly well-known for supporting local sports clubs and there are a significant number of ‘Ringtons cups’ still being played for within a number of running, tennis, football and bowling clubs. As the fourth generation to head up Ringtons alongside my brothers Simon and Colin, we have continued this family tradition and also support several sports clubs, and we are delighted to be able to extend this to Zoe, not only as a family member but as a very talented athlete, as she strives to gain even more running titles and compete at an international level.”