Westoe Rugby Club ‘driving’ forward with a new name and a new sponsor
After an amazing 140 yrs of history and tradition, Westoe Rugby Club has decided to change its name and at the same time has bagged a new main sponsor
From the new 2015/16 season the Rugby, steeped in history and family values, who have played at Wood Terrace ground since 1875, will be named ‘South Shields Westoe RFC’, but still 'Westoe' to our supporters and friends.
The decision to change the name was recently made and club officials are delighted with the exciting new chapter in the clubs future and new main sponsors Benfield Motor Group.
Speaking about the name change Chairman Ian Etchells, said “We are very proud of the town and where we come from and all the local people we represent. The new name of ‘South Shields Westoe RFC’ will give us wider appeal and we are absolutely delighted to welcome Benfield Motor Group into our family club as main sponsors.
‘Sponsors play a massive part in our success on and off the pitch and we are looking forward to working with Benfield and promoting our joint partnership in particular through their prestigious Nissan Gateshead and Ford Sunderland dealerships.”
“Benfield have the same strong family values as Westoe and we hope for a long and prosperous relationship with everyone at Benfield for many years to come.”
Natalina Sutherland, Brand Manager, Benfield, said, “We are delighted to team up with everyone at Westoe and celebrate their new chapter in history as ‘South Shields Westoe RFC’. We enjoy a very strong presence and customer base in the area through our Nissan Dealership at Gateshead and our new Ford Dealership in Sunderland http://www.drivebenfield.com
“We are very much looking forward to promoting our association as main club sponsors and building our brand awareness in the area and hopefully help to bring some success on the pitch too.”
Westoe RFC produced the first player to score a try, penalty and conversion at Twickenham in Dr.F.E. Chapman.
At present they have two ex-junior players in the England squads. Katy McLean is the England Ladies Captain and part of the professional sevens team and David Wilson is part of the England Elite Squad.
Benfield Motor Group is an independently owned family business founded in Newcastle in 1957 by John Squires Senior and developed by John Squires Junior the present chairman.
Benfield employs over 1,600 staff and has 30 retail outlets throughout the North East of England, Yorkshire, Cumbria and South West Scotland across a portfolio 12 car retail brands.
Benfield donates 5 per cent of annual operating profits to worthy causes through the Benfield Charitable Trust.