Monye To Champion Grassroots Rugby
Ugo Monye has been announced as an ambassador for Gallagher, Premiership Rugby’s Title Partner, where he will spend the campaign championing grassroots rugby.
The Gallagher Premiership returns on the weekend England face Australia in a Rugby World Cup quarter final, amid positive viewing figures released by ITV.
The former England and Harlequins player will support Project Rugby, the programme co-run by Premiership Rugby and the RFU in partnership with Gallagher, whose aim is to introduce young people from traditionally underrepresented groups into the game of rugby by the end of 2020.
To date, over 35,000 participants from low socio-economic backgrounds, BAME individuals and those with disabilities have accessed the Project Rugby Programme. By the end of 2020, organisers say they aim to increase that number to 55,000.
Chris Mead, CMO, Gallagher, said: “At Gallagher, our aim is to help individuals and businesses face their future with confidence, regardless of who they are, what they do and where they started their journey. Ugo’s commitment to making the game as inclusive as possible mirrors our own and makes him a fitting ambassador for Gallagher as we enter our second season as Title Partner of Premiership Rugby. As one of rugby union’s most recognisable faces, his credentials will help us in our mission to make a lasting difference to the sport at all levels of the game.”
Monye said: “The confidence rugby can give to young people has moulded me into the person I am today, which is why I’ve been so impressed by the work Gallagher has been doing to reward and champion those individuals and clubs that are making a real difference within their local rugby communities. It shouldn’t matter what you look like, your background, your religion, your race, your gender – sport and rugby eclipse all of those things. The team at Gallagher absolutely gets that and I am really looking forward to working with them to encourage more young people to play the game and to achieve this year’s ambition of getting 20,000 new Project Rugby participants by the end of 2020.”
