Jaguar Land Rover is today revealed as the official club sponsor of Coventry Rugby Football Club for the 2010/2011 season. The announcement came during a ceremony at the Butts Park Arena, home to the club since 2004.

This sponsorship agreement will see Jaguar Land Rover further extend strong community ties with the city where it employs some 2000 people and has a dedicated Education Partnership Centre which annually supports over 7,000 school children. Speaking at the launch today, Les Ratcliffe, Jaguar Land Rover Community Relations Manager said: “Today, Jaguar Land Rover, two of the world’s most iconic automotive brands, work side by side in the development of strong and lasting community partnerships which positively impact upon the local communities in which we operate. Jaguar has a very rich and well documented link to Coventry and has produced some of its most beautiful sports cars in the City. This new and exciting partnership with Coventry Rugby Club will provide a platform for us to further extend the work we are doing with local schools, sports and community groups.”

As part of this deal Jaguar Land Rover will be engaging with the rugby club in the development of a number of new and inspiring initiatives,  including the Jaguar Land Rover Academy which, in conjunction with local education establishments, will allow talented local youngsters the opportunity to gain post rugby qualifications whilst playing rugby part time.  In addition a new Education Partnership Centre will open at the clubs ground that will offer a significant local community resource for Coventry and Warwickshire.

The desire to develop the next generation of sporting talent is shared by both Jaguar and Land through their respective sporting alliances. From cycling to sailing and athletics to football this is a wide ranging commitment but Rugby is central to both brands interests. Land Rover recently announced a new four year sponsorship deal with both Premier Rugby and the Rugby Football Union which includes a brand new, country-wide grass roots tournament called the Land Rover Premiership Cup which will reach around 40,000 children over the coming four years. It is also Official Vehicle of both England Rugby and Premier Rugby, the umbrella organisationof the 12 Guinness Premiership clubs.

Jaguar this year launched its Academy of Sport which counts both Gareth Edwards and Shane Williams, heroes of Welsh rugby amongst its patrons. The Academy aims to recognise, celebrate and inspire the very best of British sporting talent and success with a Bursary Fund, prestigious annual Awards Ceremony, a unique club of the best of British sport and a vibrant website celebrating British sporting talent and achievement.

Peter Rossborough, Chairman of Coventry Rugby Club commented: “I am absolutely thrilled with this sponsorship. Our intention is to return Coventry Rugby Club to the top flight in English Rugby where it truly belongs. One of the first decisions taken by the new board was for the club to be Community- lead and this partnership with Jaguar Land Rover and their commitment to community engagement, fits this perfectly.”