A County Durham Rugby Club is charging ahead with its centenary year celebrations, thanks to a sponsorship deal.
Consett Rugby Club, which trained local talents including the Tait brothers – Matthew, who has 38 caps for England and Alex, Newcastle Falcons longest serving player – has received £2000 from Amethyst Homes.
With the clubs’ stadium named after the Consett based developer, Amethyst has been a sponsor since 2015, with donations totalling £50,000. The money has supported the running of the club and was a vital lifeline during the Covid period when the club was forced to close.
This year’s sponsorship deal is contributing to a star-studded celebration event on the 15th June (at the Rugby Club), which will see former New Zealand rugby union star, Zinzan Brooke; coach and former England, British and Irish Lions and Leicester Tigers Number eight, Dean Richards and former England captain, World Rugby Hall of Fame and pioneer of the women’s game, Sue Dorrington in attendance. Providing some of the entertainment for the evening is the club’s 1st player and top scorer, Matty Grimes, who has just released his debut single ‘Walk through the sky.’
Central to the club’s centenary celebrations will be long-standing member, Roy Tyerman – who has been paying his subscriptions for more than 70 years. Roy, aged 90, has inspired generations of players. The former number eight has been captain, chairperson and president over the years and formed the club’s first ‘colts’ teams for youth players in 1966.
Roy was recently awarded the Durham County Council Chairman’s Medal, Durham County Council’s highest civic award.
He said: “It has been a privilege and honour to have been part of this club for so many years. The club is central to the community and has had such a positive impact on so many people personally and professionally.”
In addition to the event on 15th June, the rugby club has a range of activities planned throughout the year to celebrate the centenary. These include a family fun day (26th August), charity matches and open days to show the heritage of the last 100 years.
Barry Cook, Chairperson of the Centenary Committee at Consett RFC, added: “We are delighted to work with Amethyst Homes who have supported us for nine years. The Centenary events are the culmination of two years hard work by the centenary committee, and we are looking forward to showcasing our history.”
Richard Bass, Managing Director at Amethyst Homes, said: “We are passionate and committed to supporting local clubs, organisations and charities as a Consett based business.
“Our link with the Rugby Club spans almost a decade and we are proud and privileged to have played a small part in its journey. What the club has achieved over the last 100 years is phenomenal – it has broken down barriers to sport making rugby much more inclusive and the club is a central part of the community.”
Tickets are only £30 for the star-studded event on the 15th June in Consett Ruby Club Marquee and are available to buy, via John O’Connor at: joc4rugby@aol.com.
*Photo caption: Clockwise – (holding the ruby ball), Alex Tait, Barry Cook, Roy Tyerman and Richard Bass.