Hollis Sponsorship Bulletin

Specialist business insurer QBE is putting its support behind the President’s XV Awards - an RFU initiative which seeks to identify and reward initiatives that promote the development of rugby at grassroots level. The four-year deal complements QBE’s status as Official Insurance Partner of the Guinness Premiership and England Rugby.

Now in its fourth year, the President’s XV Awards, supported by QBE, celebrate projects that have been run in a voluntary capacity at rugby organisations within the last 12 months. The winning project in each of the 15 award categories receives £500, with two highly commended projects in each category receiving £100 for their club.

QBE will be involved in the announcement of the winning schemes and having already been involved in judging the winners, QBE will also receive branding rights and presence at each presentation.

Supporting the awards also forms part of QBE’s Developing Talent programme, which will see the insurer encourage development of the game at a grassroots level, and engage QBE employees in activity that contributes towards this goal.

The activity will be supported by an internal communications campaign within QBE, which will encourage employees to get involved in the winning schemes. In the next year, QBE will escalate its involvement to further integrate the awards into the business, starting with the 2010/11 nominations in November.

Helena Christopher, Head of Corporate Communications at QBE European Operations, said: “Having launched our partnership with the RFU last month, we are delighted to be supporting the President’s XV Awards. QBE strongly believes in rewarding entrepreneurialism and strategic thinking, and the President’s XV Awards embody these values. In addition, the scheme enables us to engage QBE employees in our sponsorship of rugby; something that is incredibly important to us.”

Steven Burns, CEO of QBE European Operations, commented: “QBE has made a commitment to the sport of rugby at all levels, from the RFU itself to the grassroots volunteers. This partnership is another step towards expanding our business across the UK, through aligning ourselves with elite properties that represent our brand values as a leading specialist business insurer.” More information on the President’s XV Awards can be found at www.qbeeurope.com/rugby