Newcastle University Women’s Rugby team will ‘tackle’ the new season with great anticipation, thanks to sponsorship from Hodgson Sayers.
The Stanley-based building and roofing specialist already has an established relationship with the team and this year has covered the cost of the logos for the sports kit for the 22-strong first team and a further 60 polo shirts for the wider squad.
The first team plays in the Northern League and the second team in the Development League. Amie Walker, club treasurer and member of the first team squad, said: “We are doing very well as a club, but we really need funding and support to ensure our long term future.
“We have 22 ladies per team and 60 plus within the squad and there is increasing demand and interest to join the club, especially as we become more successful and well known. Our first team beat Leeds Beckett in last year’s Vase cup final, having taken Cambridge’s scalp in the semi-finals.
“I am in my second year of a Mathematics and Statistics Degree and find Rugby a great way to relax, socialise and also keep fit. Having taken part in the initial taster sessions that we run each year and joined in with pre-season games I instantly took to the game and was thrilled to become a member of the first team.
“The profile of women’s rugby is rising and we have some fantastic role models from the area who play at a national level. Former Captain of the England ladies team, Katy McClean, hails from South Shields and former vice-captain of the team, Sarah Hunter, began her rugby career as a nine year old for Goathland Primary School in Newcastle and her team-mate Tamara Taylor, is a Newcastle University graduate.
“From all of us at Newcastle University Women’s Rugby Team we would like to take the opportunity to thank Hodgson Sayers for its continued support, it is greatly appreciated and enables us to build and maintain our squad.”
John Sayers, managing director at Hodgson Sayers, said: “We are proud to support Newcastle University Women’s Rugby Club and the players are great ambassadors for the sport.
“Over the last few years we have seen them go from strength-to- strength and their determination and drive has delivered great success. We wish them all the best of luck with their studies and with their fixtures for the season ahead.”
Hodgson Sayers operates in the construction sector offering specialist skills in roofing, building works, fencing and metalwork fabrication. 2015 was an outstanding year for the company having won three national awards. The first being the SME Company of the Year award at the Constructing Excellence Awards in London. This was followed by UK Business of the Year and the People Development Award at the British Chambers of Commerce Awards.
Social value is at the heart of the business and, as such, it has formed a committee which meets each month to canvas opinion, explore potential initiatives and plan events in conjunction with stakeholders and the communities in which it operates.