Rhinos handed Southstand boost
Stobart Super League Champions Leeds Rhinos have been given a major boost ahead of the new season with the announcement that they have agreed a new eight year sponsorship with Carlsberg UK that will see the iconic Tetley’s brand return on the South Stand at Headingley Carnegie Stadium.
As a result of the new deal, the club have been able to carry out essential work on the South Stand that means the capacity has been increased by 1,500 with the areas at the front of terrace that had been closed for two years now re-instated for supporters.
The world famous terrace is currently sponsored by main club sponsor Leeds Building Society however The UK’s 5th largest building society will move its branding to the North Stand from the 2012 season, to support the club’s off-field aspirations to improve facilities for its fans. With Headingley Carnegie set to host its biggest ever club game on 17th February when Leeds take on Australian Champions Manly Sea Eagles it means that the Leeds Building Society logo will be visible to millions of TV viewers around the globe opposite the television gantry’s at the stadium.
The new deal with Carlsberg UK continues one of the longest standing commercial relationships in Rugby League with the Leeds-based firm having been a partner of the club since 1994. Commenting on the new deal Commercial Director Rob Oates said, “We are delighted to announce this new contract with our partners Carlsberg UK. For many years, the Tetley’s brand has been associated with the Rhinos, in particular the South Stand, and we are delighted to have the name back on the South Stand as the Champions kick off the new season. Carlsberg UK remain a major employer in Leeds through their own distribution depot, sales, Customer Service Centre and Credit Control.
“We are proud of our record of developing lasting relationships with all our sponsors and the new Tetley’s stand branding and colours will have real presence. The fact that in the Super League era we have maintained just two main sponsors on the front of our shirt with only two companies speaks volumes for the loyalty we show to our partners and the trust they have in us in return to deliver what they expect from us. We are all looking forward to a great year ahead starting with our opening game against Hull KR on 3rd February and followed a fortnight later with the Heinz Big Soup World Club Challenge,” added Oates.
With plans ongoing for the re-development of the Tetley’s South Stand, the club have also pledged that all funds from the new Tetley’s South Stand sponsorship will go into the redevelopment fund as and when a funding mechanism is resolved for the new Tetley’s South Stand, which has already received planning permission. The capacity for Headingley Carnegie Stadium is now 21,500 for all Leeds Rhinos home games including the Heinz Big Soup World Club Challenge against Manly Sea Eagles on Friday 17th February.