Opel Ireland and IRFU renew sponsorship
Pictured with the all-new Opel Grandland, launching this December, are, from left: Michael Collopy, Chairman of the IRFU Commercial and Marketing Committee; James Brooks, Managing Director, Opel Ireland; Declan Madden, President of the IRFU. Picture: Siobhan Taylor
Opel Ireland and the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) have announced a four-year sponsorship renewal. The continued partnership will see Opel remain as a proud sponsor of Irish Rugby and the exclusive car partner to the IRFU until 2028. First signing with Irish Rugby in 2021, Opel provides an extensive fleet of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles to IRFU personnel.
James Brooks, Opel Ireland Managing Director, said: "We are immensely proud to continue our sponsorship of Irish Rugby. Since day one of our partnership, the collaboration has provided our brand with a unique platform to forge a strong connection with Irish Rugby at every level, spanning both the men's and women's teams and bolstered by an ever-growing fan base."
Mr Brooks continued: "Opel's Drive the Passion programme has seen hundreds of Gilberts rugby balls donated to dozens of clubs nationwide, in partnership with local main Opel dealers.
"We also quickly recognised a huge opportunity early in the partnership to support our women's 7s and XVs teams, in particular. As such, over the course of three years, we have appointed six Opel brand ambassadors, providing each with a new Opel car, and we have delighted in seeing Amee Leigh Murphy Crowe, Stacey Flood, Linda Djougang, Aoife Dalton, Beibhinn Parsons and Aoife Wafer grow into the international Irish Rugby stars they were destined to become. Indeed, it has been magical to see these phenomenal women soar to new heights, making history and qualifying for the Olympics in 2024 and the Rugby World Cup in 2025. Two more Opel ambassador appointments, from the men's team, will follow this December."
Opel's partnership benefit includes numerous in-match and digital branding opportunities and player appearances.
The sponsorship renewal was marked at Opel Ireland's Distribution Centre at Gowan Auto, Citywest, attended by James Brooks, Managing Director at Opel Ireland and Michael Collopy, Chairman of the IRFU Commercial and Marketing Committee, together with Declan Madden, President of the IRFU.
Opel's main dealer in Mayo is Rochford Motors in Ballyhaunis.
