Tag Archives: rugby league

Rhino is immensely proud to be Official Ball Supplier to rugby league’s European Super League and all RFL domestic competitions this season. One of the highlights of this will be the Tetleys Rugby League Challenge Cup Final, on August 24th when the Rhino Vortex Elite XIII ball will make its Wembley debut in the climax of one of the oldest and most prestigious competitions in world rugby, dating back to 1897. The ball has already been well received by the game’s leading teams and players with Leeds Rhino's Kevin Sinfield recently winning the first monthly Rhino Top Gun kicking award with a perfect 15 out of 15 record.

The Challenge Cup’s third round draw was recently held at the historic Iffley Road Rugby Pavilion in Oxford, home not only of Oxford University RFC but also from this summer the newly formed Oxford Rugby League club, which will play in the Championship 1 competition and has Rhino Director Tony Colquitt as CEO. The draw was made by leading actor Kevin Whately, better known as the eponymous star of the ITV drama Lewis, who is a lifelong RL supporter and regular at the Challenge Cup Final.

Oxford RL got possibly the toughest draw available at this stage of the competition – away to Halifax of the Championship, giving their new squad and coach Tony Benson plenty to prepare for in the coming weeks.

Kevin Whately and Reg Clark with the historic Challenge Cup Trophy at Iffley Road Pavilion.

Rhino Rugby, having recently won the contract as Official Ball Supplier for the Rugby Football League and the Super League for the next three years, have recruited James Roby of St Helens and Ryan Hall of Leeds Rhinos as their Rugby League Brand Ambassadors.

Managing Director of Rhino Rugby League, and former Saints CEO Tony Colquitt comments: “I am delighted to welcome two world class English players to the Rhino Rugby League brand. Both Ryan and James will be working with Rhino Rugby League to activate our plans within the game. The players will feature in promotional materials and in store activation programmes with Rhino Rugby League’s key trade partners. The players will also be developing their own range of balls. Rhino Rugby League is committed to delivering world class bespoke products to the game and the signing of Ryan and James signals our intentions”.

James Roby commented, “I am delighted to sign with Rhino Rugby League and very excited by some of the plans that they have in place. It’s great that a famous brand such as Rhino is now committing to League”.

Ryan Hall commented, “Rhino is a world class brand and I am delighted to be working with them. I know fans and clubs alike will be delighted with the plans in place.”

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.