Fylde Rugby Community Foundation are delighted to announce that Porsche Centre Preston is the new sponsor of a major new initiative to encourage more young people to participate in sport.
The Preston-based car centre has agreed a three-year deal to sponsor the Foundation’s Rugby Pathway Programme. Their support will help up to 25 young players each year, and 75 in total, to enjoy the benefits of rugby club membership.
Each young beneficiary will receive help with practical measures such as transport and kit. They will also enjoy training support focused on a smooth introduction to playing rugby as part of a club.
The players to benefit will be selected from the Foundation’s Primary Prospects Programme, Junior Development Programme, Girls’ Rugby Programme and Wooden Spoon Rugby and Multi Sports Camps.
Phill Mills, the Foundation’s Head of Community Coaching, said: “In amateur youth sport, the support of local businesses can make all the difference for young people to get involved. Thanks to Porsche Centre Preston, the Rugby Pathway Programme can now help more young players to discover a love of sport which we hope will last a lifetime.”
Paul Bowker, chief executive of Bowker Motor Group, owners of Porsche Centre Preston, said: “As a family business, we are proud to support many grassroots sporting initiatives throughout Lancashire. The Fylde Rugby Community Foundation’s Rugby Pathway Programme immediately captured our imagination.”
Porsche Centre Preston centre principal, Tom Fox, added: “We believe that it is important that young people from all backgrounds enjoy access to the kind of quality coaching that transforms sporting experiences. We’re looking forward to watching the young players develop as the programme progresses.” Sir Bill Beaumont CBE DL, Honorary President of the Foundation, said: “Porsche Centre Preston’s sponsorship of this programme provides the opportunity for young people to be able to access Rugby through removing barriers to participation. This enables them to have healthy and positive physical and social interactions. In addition, this often results in wider societal benefits from their being involved in a team sport with meaningful values. This is particularly true when those people are from vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds.”
