Refs Finally Go To Specsavers For Lions Tour
The International Rugby Board has announced that Specsavers opticians will sponsor the match officials for this summer’s British and Irish Lions tour to Hong Kong and Australia.
The deal will see the Guernsey-based company’s logo appear on the front of all officials’ shirts and shorts for the tour, which kicks off against the Barbarians on 1st June.
Specsavers will complement the sponsorship with a television, internet and social media campaign run throughout the build-up to, and during, the three Tests between the Lions and Australia.
IRB chief executive Brett Gosper said: ‘This is good news for rugby and shows the healthy state the sport is in as regards attracting top-class commercial partners. Specsavers has a proven track record within the sports sector and we are looking forward to working closely with them.’
Specsavers chairman and former professional rugby union player Doug Perkins added: ‘Good eyesight is clearly very important in competitive sport. While there continues to be exciting technological innovations to aid referees, we will always rely on their personal judgement too. At Specsavers we’re glad to do our bit where we can to help ensure that they get the best possible support to do their job.’
In addition to the Lions match officials, Specsavers is building on its existing portfolio of sporting sponsorships that includes the Scottish Football Association match officials, RaboDirect PRO12 league and women’s GAA in Ireland.
