Capital Wales and Colin Jones Solicitors back Ospreys emerging talent

Capital Wales, the inward Investment partnership for South East Wales based in Pontypridd, has sponsored exciting young scrumhalf Tom Habberfield; while Colin Jones Solicitors, based in Barry, has sponsored wing Tom Grabham. From Bridgend, both players have emerged from the Ospreys development pathway, gaining increased game-time this season.

The sponsorship deals were unveiled at a business networking event and press conference co-hosted by the Ospreys and networking body Introbiz at the flagship Sinclair Mercedes Benz dealership in Bridgend earlier this week to mark their return to the Riverside Hardware Brewery Field. The Ospreys played Harlequins in the LV= Cup there on Sunday 3^rd February.

Jonathon Hall, Project and Marketing Executive at Capital Wales, said sponsoring young and exciting talent on the rugby field mirrored what the organisation does in the business community, working with businesses from Monmouth in the east to Bridgend in the west.

Hall said: "Tom is a young up and coming player and he's from Bridgend, which is part of our region. We try to attract young up and coming businesses to the region and working with an up and coming rugby player from the region sits well with that. The sponsorship helps us gain brand recognition locally and it promotes our product."

Mike Rattenbury, commercial and litigation partner at Colin Jones Solicitors, said the law firm is looking to grow its presence in Bridgend, which meant working with Tom Grabham was a natural choice.

"It is about supporting a local player in his transition to regional rugby while showing Bridgend people that we're actively involved in what Bridgend is about, which is rugby and industry and business.

"I'm a diehard Ospreys fan so I was delighted Bridgend happened to fall within the region. The Ospreys have close links with Bridgend clubs now which works for us well at a local level."

Players' sponsors receive a number of benefits including a signed Ospreys jersey, branding next to the player's profile on the website and in the match day programme, access to the Ospreys training HQ at Llandarcy to watch the player train plus access to a range of corporate and/or networking events hosted by the Ospreys.

Andrew Hore, Chief Operations Officer at the Ospreys, said the scheme has represented a very successful way of bringing businesses closer to the Ospreys.

Hore said:

"The scheme has been very popular since it was launched as it allows businesses and their employees to not only associate themselves with the Ospreys brand but to get to know the players themselves. It is especially good to see businesses from the eastern fringes of Ospreylia getting involved. It just goes to show the potential the Bridgend region holds for Welsh rugby both on and off the field."

To find out how you can get involved in player sponsorship please call the commercial team on 01792 616500 or email commercial@ospreysrugby.com.