New focus for RWE npower renewables/Ospreys partnership

The new agreement strengthens RWE NRL's sponsorship investment in support of local initiatives, extending the commercial partnership for a ninth season and maintaining one of the most exciting and sustainable sponsorships in Welsh Regional rugby history.

For the 2013/14 season, RWE NRL's presence on the Ospreys kit will move from the chest to multiple positions on the shirt, shorts and socks. It will also bring in the use of wind turbine images for the first time, increasing awareness of RWE NRL's core business.

The shift in emphasis away from brand awareness will see RWE NRL focus more on the various arms of the Ospreys community programme, supporting local rugby clubs, players, fans, charities, and school children alike.

An early indicator of this was the highly acclaimed Schools Programme, unveiled at Liberty Stadium two months ago by Leighton Andrews AM, Welsh Government Minister for Education and Skills. The joint Ospreys/RWE NRL programme aims to reach 3,000 primary school pupils in each academic year.

Julia Lynch Williams, Managing Director of RWE npower renewables said:

"We're delighted that RWE npower renewables is able to notch up a ninth year sponsoring the Ospreys, and maintaining our long term and highly successful partnership with the region, its management team and players.

"As part of our strategy in Wales, we are shifting the weight of our sponsorship investment even more into locally based initiatives, which have long been central to our wider activities across the country.

"RWE npower renewables is a huge investor into the Welsh economy, by generating renewable energy in support of Welsh Government targets and reducing carbon emissions, and supporting the development of new jobs and skills through the construction and operation of our projects. This latest agreement enables us to build on that in areas where we are most active."

Andrew Hore, Chief Operations Officer at the Ospreys, commented:

"We are extremely thankful to RWE npower renewables for their ongoing support which has helped drive the Ospreys for more than seven years already. They are undoubtedly a crucial member of our family, and we are delighted that we will continue working with them next season.

"RWE NRL's renewed investment in the communities of Ospreylia marks the start of a new era for the Ospreys and for our partnership. We have recently undergone significant changes throughout the organisation, right up to boardroom level, and this announcement is particularly timely. With RWE NRL moving off the front of the shirt it provides a wonderful opportunity for a new Welsh or international business to be a part of our bright future as a primary partner of the Ospreys."