Rhino Rugby News

Neil Back and Reg Clark hold the winning ticket
for Broughton Park with Mark Fletcher

England World Cup winner, Lions legend and Leeds Carnegie coach Neil Back has drawn North 2 West club Broughton Park as the winner of the Rhino Rugby - Pitchero prize draw.

Pitchero, the innovative new social networking platform for sports clubs, presented a Rhino World Cup match ball to the first 50 clubs who had 20 registered members on their Pitchero website and the first 40 clubs to have 50 members were entered into the draw for £1,000 worth of Rhino ground equipment.

The draw took place at the Leeds Rugby clubhouse shared by Leeds Carnegie and the Leeds Rhinos and was attended by England, Lions and Great Britain rugby league hero John Bentley, who is currently Community Marketing Manager for the combined operation, Reg Clark, Chief Executive of Rhino Rugby and Mark Fletcher of Pitchero.

John Bentley with Rhino Hit Shield

The Inaugural Rhino International Rugby Festival at Browns Sports & Leisure Club in the Algarve was held on the weekend of October 4th and 5th and was a resounding success.

Taking its lead from the O2 Scrum on the Beach events held in Trafalgar Square and other venues around England in the summer, the centrepiece was a tournament held on the Browns purpose built permanent beach rugby facility in which local club Vilamoura triumphed 5-3 over the touring Kew Occasionals side in the final. Amongst a number of coaching events and clinics was a SCRUMSMART event focussing on scrummaging technique for beginners which used the Rhino Dictator machine which again is a permanent training feature for the many sides who visit Browns for warm weather training. This has in the past included the national squads of England, Australia and Ireland and a great many professional clubs from Europe and further afield. The machine itself is something of a collectors piece, being the one used in France by England to hone their scrummaging techniques to such a high level in sweeping aside Australia and France on their way to the 2007 Rugby World Cup final. Rhino have had a partnership with Browns to supply their contact and training equipment for some time, and both parties are keen to make this Festival an annual event, hopefully next year involving both union and league codes.

Rhino Pure Rugby, the brand launched recently by Rhino Rugby in collaboration with UK merchandising specialists Trimerchandise, has secured an Official Supplier contract with the to supply playing kit and apparel to the Swiss national rugby sides.

The FSR joins English Premiership club Northampton Saints and Magners League and Heinken Cup contender Edinburgh in adopting the Rhino Pure Rugby brand for the 2008-9 season.

Rhino Rugby itself has been appointed Official Supplier of training equipment to the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa in 2009 and was an Official Partner and Supplier to the recent IRB U-20 Junior World Championship in Wales. It recently also added London Wasps to its roster of Official Supplier deals alongside longstanding relationships with England, Wales, Bath and the Cardiff Blues. The West London based company was subject to a management buy-in led by new England Team Manager Martin Johnson in late 2006.

FSR commercial consultant Alain Winterhalter comments 'Rhino is one of the great global rugby brands and we are delighted to be working with them’.

Rhino Pure Rugby head of sales Jason Critchley was equally pleased to land another major contract : 'we are determined to add national rugby federations to our portofolio of contracts and are very happy to have the FSR as our first of this kind. They will not be the last.’

Contact:
Jason Critchley on +44 7725 244022
or Reg Clark on + 44 208 995 5965.

Scrumsmart Event Great Success at Rauris International Rugby Festival in Austria

Over 150 players and coaches from four different countries attended a session of SCRUMSMART at the inaugural Rauris International Rugby Festival near Salzburg in Austria over the weekend of September 19th-2st. The Festival, the brainchild of Rhino Rugby Director and former GB rugby league team manager, Abi Ekoku, and sponsored by Austrian Chalets, featured various sides from the host nation, including an Austrian development squad, which played an international invitation XV, and additionally a womens tournament for sides from Austria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic.

SCRUMSMART is the campaign launched by Rhino, marketing services company ENS and other partners, and endorsed by the RFU and Welsh Rugby Union, to promote safe and effective contested scrummaging in the rugby union game. The session was conducted by Blackheath Director of Youth Development Steve Pope, ably assisted by his co-prop on the invitation XV Paul Shadbolt.

President of the Austrian RFU Andreas Schwab, himself a former international prop, was particularly delighted with the session: "from the point of view of developing basic positioning and technique in respect of many relative newcomers to the game, this was an absolutely invaluable event, and additionally our experienced front row players and forwards learned a great deal from Steve and Paul."

Further SCRUMSMART events are planned in a number of countries in the coming months and the campaign will be exhibiting at the Rugby Expo in London in November.

Rhino Rugby recently announced a two year deal to be Official Supplier of training equipment to Rugby League Challenge Cup winners St Helens. The deal was celebrated by both parties at the Super League decider against Wigan at Knowsley Road, played five days after the Saints clinched the Challenge Cup against Hull. The sides fought a highly entertaining and ferocious 16 all draw enabling St Helens to take the League Leaders trophy for the fourth consecutive year.

Historically, due to Rhino's previous location in Devon and that fact that its signature product was and is the scrummaging machine, rugby league has not been natural territory for the company. The new management of Rhino following the management buy-in in 2006 and relocation of the business to West London, however, set its sights on making this strategic breakthrough both in the area of training equipment (and in particular contact suits, tackle bags and hit shields, which translate perfectly well into league) and via its Rhino Pure Rugby brand in playing kit, protective equipment and apparel.

This was a major factor in the recruitment of former Bradford Bulls’ player and Chief Executive and GB Team Manager, Abi Ekoku, as a Director of Rhino and former Widnes and GB rugby league international Jason Critchley as Head of Sales for Rhino Pure Rugby.

Abi Ekoku comments: "The St Helens deal is the exactly the kind of breakthrough we have been looking for into the league code. We couldn't ask for a better partner for our signature deal and are determined to build on this to increase our coverage of the game at all levels, and to take our relationship with Saints further in future."

Saints Chief Executive, Tony Colquitt, added: "We are delighted to form this partnership with Rhino. The deal is a first in Rugby League and it will allow the Saints to continue to seek perfection in all our training, preparation and planning. Rhino are a proactive leading company and we are already in discussions with them with regards to League specific designs and equipment."

Pictured at Knowsley Road following the game between Saints and Wigan, holding the Rugby League Challenge Cup are Rhino Chief Executive Reg Clark and St Helens Chief Executive Tony Colquitt - Rhino Pure Rugby Director Wayne Mumford holds the League Leaders Trophy. Also pictured left to right are Rhino's Abi Ekoku, Steve Chapman, Jason Critchley and Rob Glenister.

Northampton Saints today unveiled their 2008/09 playing shirts, made by Rhino Rugby.

Bruce Reihana and Ben Lewitt of Northampton celebrate the new shirt launch

Anticipation surrounding the new shirt has been building ever since the announcement of the Saints’ four-year deal with Rhino Rugby was announced in April.

Hundreds of supporters have pre-ordered the new shirts already with the first hundred receiving an exclusive limited edition that includes the signatures of director of rugby Jim Mallinder and first team coaches Paul Grayson and Dorian West.

The new Rhino Rugby shirt features state-of-the-art COOLDRYTM quick drying technology which allows absorption and transfusion of body moisture into the fibres while allowing air to circulate around the body.

Both the home and away shirts are available in short and long-sleeved poly/cotton versions with sizes ranging from X-Small to 5X-Large. The adult shirt retails at L54.99, while the children’s shirt (available in 7-8 years, 9-10 years, 11-12 years and 13 years) retails at L39.99. This represents a price freeze that has continued for over five years.

In addition to the standard replica shirt Rhino Rugby are producing a match-day replica shirt identical to the shirt worn by the team. This will be available to order soon from the Saints Rugby Store.

"We are delighted to unveil the new Saints shirt today and are confident that every supporter will like it," said Saints chief executive Allan Robson. "With more hoops and a darker shade of green we are acknowledging our heritage. But the Rhino shirt is made from cutting-edge material and points very much to the future. We have worked closely with Rhino and have a good working relationship with them already."

"Rhino is proud to be associated with Northampton Saints," said Rhino Rugby director Steve Chapman. "They are a club that is undergoing a resurgence under Allan Robson and Jim Mallinder and we are sure that success will return soon to this great club. We are looking forward to being a part of that success and developing our relationship in the future."

Orders are being taken now for the 2008/09 Northampton Saints shirt from the Saints Rugby Store. Call 01605 581111 for more information or order online through the Saints official website.

The Saints Rugby Store is undergoing a major refit during July. But you can see the shirt and order it at a mini store in the Saints Ticket Office.

Rhino Rugby CEO Reg Clark and Northampton Saints CEO Allan Robson shake hands on the new deal, with Reihana and Ben Lewitt together with Steve Chapman and Wayne Mumford, Directors of the Rhino Pure Rugby brand.

Rhino Pure Rugby, the new playing kit and apparel brand launched by Rhino recently has already landed two major UK professional clubs in four year shirt and apparel deals from the coming season.

Northampton Saints, newly promoted to the English Premiership, were Rhino’s first signing since the strategic decision to make a significant push into this product area together with Midlands based merchandising and apparel specialists Trimerchandise. Saints CEO Allan Robson comments: "Rhino as a brand has a great rugby heritage and we were additionally very impressed by the Trimerchandise track record. We are delighted to be wearing and working with the Rhino Pure Rugby brand in this very important season for our club".

The deal was followed shortly afterwards by one with Magners Celtic League and Heineken Cup contenders Edinburgh, via the Scottish Rugby Union. Edinburgh CEO Nic Cartwright was equally enthusiastic: "The Rhino Pure Rugby team are extremely professional and experienced and we are very confident they will produce excellent products for our players and our supporters".

Rhino Pure Rugby head of sales Jason Critchley comments: "These are very significant deals for the Rhino Pure Rugby brand coming so soon after its launch, and taken together with our tie up with Combined Services, they represent a great platform for further roll out of the brand at all levels of the game".

Edinburgh University, sponsored by Rhino Rugby, recently completed a historic tour of Japan. Celebrating its 150th anniversary this season, EURFC undertook a gruelling five match 15-day tour in the heat of June, coming away with a 4-1 record. Playing their toughest game first, they went down 33-20 in a very entertaining game against Osaka Physical Education University, then went on to record wins against Kyoto University (52-21), a Kobe Invitation XV (61-7), Tokyo University (49-22) and the National Defence Academy (32-12).

Club captain Kyle Vivian commented: "This was a fantastic trip, and we couldn't have done it with without Rhino's backing and organisation. We are incredibly grateful to them".

Rhino has been represented for over 25 years in Japan by Tsuguo Suzuki of Suzuki Rugby, who has sold over 100 scrum machines in this period, many of which were in evidence at the various training and playing facilities used by the touring side. Japan is to host the 2009 IRB Under-20 Junior World Championship, and Rhino is determined to follow its Official Supplier role for the 2008 tournament just completed in Wales, with a similar role next year.

Andrew Jepson, a former RFU Youth Development Officer, and a long time resident of Italy, has been appointed as Rhino Rugby's Sales Agent in that country.

Prior to his work with the RFU from 1993 to 2000, Jepson had his first spell in Italy as club coach and development officer for RC San Bernedetto for eight years and since returning to the country has worked with both the Viadana and Fermo clubs in a variety of coaching and administration roles, in addition to running his own coaching and business training consultancy. He was additionally liaison officer to the Italian side in the 1999 Rugby World Cup.

"Andrew's knowledge of and contacts in the Italian game are considerable" comments Rhino Chief Executive , Reg Clark, " we are delighted to have him on board in this rapidly growing rugby nation".

"I believe the potential for the Rhino brand, in both its traditional scrummaging machine and contact and training equipment and its new on field kit and apparel lines, is considerable in Italy" says Jepson "and I look forward to being part of the growth of the company".

RHINO SIGNS NEW OFFICIAL SUPPLIER DEAL WITH LONDON WASPS

Rhino recently announced a new Official Supplier deal with London Wasps.

Just one week before the Guinness Premiership final in which Wasps triumphed over Leicester, Wasps players and officials, including recently appointed Lions coach Ian McGeechan, Chief Executive Tony Copsey, Joe Worsley, Tim Payne, Paul Sackey, Eoin Reddan, Tom Palmer, Raphael Ibanez and Mark van Gisbergen, gathered at the Rhino offices for drinks and canapés to celebrate the deal.

For Rhino’s Martin Johnson, hosting the event, it was his last official function before stepping down as a director to take up the England Team Manager job. Johnson, who will remain a Rhino shareholder and firmly associated with the brand going ahead, commented: “Given Rhino’s new location in West London, an Official Supplier contract with a leading London club makes a lot of sense, and in this respect there is no better option for us than Wasps”. Wasps, whose training ground is a 10 minute drive from Rhino’s offices and factory in Chiswick, have committed to a two year deal whereby Rhino will supply them with all of their contact and training equipment. They have been using a top of the range Rhino scrummaging machine for sometime already.

Following on from Rhino’s recently announced deal with the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa in 2009, the London Wasps deal complements Rhino’s longstanding Official Supplier arrangements with England, Wales, Bath and the Cardiff Blues.