Witney News - Blue Boar Signs Three Year Sponsorship Deal With Witney RFC

Blue Boar Signs Three Year Sponsorship Deal With Witney RFC

Oakman Inns is delighted to announce that the Blue Boar, Witney's landmark Coaching Inn, has signed a three year agreement as the new Main Club Sponsor of the town’s Rugby Club.

The new collaboration was celebrated at a Pre-Season Reception on 18th September hosted by the Blue Boar in their Bosworth Suite where the contract was officially signed by Witney RFC President, Pat Hall and Oakman Inns and Restaurants' CEO, Peter Borg-Neal.

The reception was also attended by Paul Brown, the Blue Boar's General Manager, President of the Club's Minis and Juniors, Mick Routledge, all the players from the Club's First XV, with their Captain, Jez Hicks, and the Mayor of Witney, Cllr Peter Dorward plus the coaches and other Club officials.

The sponsorship marks the introduction of the 'Blue Boar Man of the Match' for each home game with the winner being awarded a meal for two at the Blue Boar. The Blue Boar's logo will be carried on the playing shirts of the 1st and 2nd teams and, over the period of the sponsorship, on all four senior sides. It will also appear on the Minis and Juniors training kit. Club Chairman, Danny Crump, who negotiated the deal, said: “The Blue Boar's commitment to a three year deal is very important to the club and we are very grateful for their support.”

The new season sees Witney RFC's first team play in the Southwest 1 East League and the County Cup while the other three teams play in the Berks/Bucks and Oxon Divisions 1, 2 and 4. The Club's President, Pat Hall thanked the Blue Boar for their support and said he is looking forward to the new season: “We have just appointed a new Head Coach in Peter (Tug) Wilson, who is head coach for the RAF and a new Forwards Coach, Richie Craig, who played for the RAF 1st XV for 10 years where he was Captain for the last two seasons. They are both stationed at nearby RAF Brize Norton. With their expertise and the enthusiasm of the 1st team Captain, Jez Hicks, we hope to be fielding an even tougher squad this season with high hopes of finishing in the top six in the league.”

Peter Borg-Neal, CEO of Oakman Inns and Restaurants, the Blue Boar's parent company, said: “I am really pleased the Blue Boar is sponsoring Witney RFC – especially the Minis and Juniors - who I hope will come to love the game as much as I do and embrace the Club motto, “To Play with All to Win”, in its fullest sense. My only concern is the Blue Boar Man of the Match prizes of a meal for two..... Some of those front row forwards look like they have enormous appetites!”

Witney RFC was formed in 1966. It has four Senior sides, a Vets XV and a successful Ladies team (the Angels). They have around 400 M&J's and an Academy Side.