Dear ,
MILLWALL Rugby Club are delighted to announce that Waitrose Food & Home has decided to sponsor our Under 13s youth side.
The team is Millwall's first youth side to play in an official division and they will be supported by the supermarket when they join the Essex U13s League next season.
To mark the deal, which has seen the team decked out in the latest rugby gear, the Millwall youngsters travelled with their team manager Maureen Lajolie and the club's youth chairman Matt Shorrock (April 5) to Waitrose in Canary Wharf.
There they met checkout manager David Harris and community liaison officer Pasty Williams-Canning in the Mill Centre where they enjoyed free smoothies and fruit pieces.
Mr Shorrock said the sponsorship deal is a natural fit for both organisations.
"Waitrose is an iconic brand with strong community awareness," he said. "They have big plans for the future and we're delighted that they've decided to invest in Millwall Rugby Club.
"They understand what we're trying to achieve in terms of growing the sport and they want to be a part of the journey. Our partnership with them will ensure that our U13s team is well prepared for their entry into the Essex U13 League next season.
"This sponsorship deal comes at a time when we are also celebrating a 150 per cent growth in youth membership and this positive vibe extends to next season where we are anticipating further increases in youth participation numbers.
"We can now move forward with the support of Waitrose and I would be delighted if there were other local organisations who are interested in supporting rugby in Tower Hamlets interested in getting on board at Millwall Rugby Club."
U13s team captain Shaun Mulholland said: "I still can't believe a big shop like Waitrose is sponsoring us, it's great and the rugby kit they gave us is very cool."
Ms Williams-Canning said: "In all our branches we work closely with the local communities.
"We are proud to actively support local charities, organisations and youth groups. We felt that Millwall Rugby Club was offering great opportunities for the young people in the area and giving them the chance to develop their skills.
"We are happy to help in the way that we have and we wish Millwall every success in the current season and for the future."
ENDS
