O’driscoll Joins Coca-cola For Rwc Deal

Coca-Cola has announced its sponsorship of the Rugby World Cup 2015 as official soft drink, sports drink and water supplier, with Ireland and British & Irish Lions legend Brian O’Driscoll joining the team as an ambassador.

The drinks brand kicked off its Rugby World Cup campaign by surprising a group of rugby mad teens from across East London with a very special training session, hosted by O’Driscoll.

The surprise rugby session took place at The Petchey Academy in Hackney, giving players from local amateur club, the Hackney Bulls, and schools across East London the chance learn some new rugby skills from one of the world’s greatest ever players.

The Coca-Cola Company’s Rugby World Cup 2015 ambassador Brian O’Driscoll, the most capped player in international rugby history (141), said: ‘I’m really excited to be working with Coca-Cola for Rugby World Cup 2015 and see this as an opportunity to bring the game to a wider audience. As a former professional sportsman, I’m a passionate believer in the importance of leading an active, healthy lifestyle and understanding the benefits of physical activity. Today’s surprise session was a great way to kick start the partnership between Coca-Cola and Rugby World Cup.’

‘East London is not an area of the country that is synonymous with rugby. But Rugby World Cup 2015 is going to bring a whole new audience to our game and I’m excited to be to be working with Coca-Cola to show fans new and old just how enjoyable and exciting the sport can be,’ O’Driscoll continued.

The new deal for Coca-Cola marks almost two decades as a partner of the world’s most iconic rugby event.

Paul Dwan, general manger of the Coca-Cola team for Rugby World Cup 2015 added: ‘Rugby World Cup 2015 looks set to be the biggest ever; we’re delighted to be a part of it to celebrate the excitement and passion the tournament will generate. The game enjoys fantastic support, we saw the tonight with the great turn out from the Hackney Bulls and The Petchey Academy, but we hope that through our sponsorship we can bring rugby to an even wider audience next year.’