Porsche Centre Preston, located on Watery Lane in Preston, has announced its sponsorship of the Preston Grasshoppers Mini and Junior teams.
The new Colts sponsorship follows on from the January announcement this year that Porsche Centre Preston was the new sponsor of Preston Grasshoppers Mini and Junior teams.
Hoppers runs two Colts teams; Under 17s (Junior Colts) and Under 18s (Senior Colts), playing in the Halbro North West Colts Leagues. The new Colts sponsorship agreement means that Porsche Centre’s name is now prominently featured on the kits worn by over 500 young players aged 5 to 18 until April 2025.
Tom Fox, Managing Director at Porsche Centre Preston, said: “We are pleased to extend our support of Preston Grasshoppers youth teams. We know it well as a local club that has encouraged many young people to participate in rugby. At Porsche Centre Preston, we value local sports, and we are proud to be associated with an organisation that provides opportunities for people to enjoy the game.”
Under the leadership of Hugh Duckworth, who has managed Preston Grasshoppers Mini Juniors for 30 years, the number of young players has grown from 70 to over 500.
Training and fixtures for all 18 age groups occur at Lightfoot Green in Fulwood on Sundays from 9 a.m., with additional training sessions for junior teams on Wednesday evenings. The club boasts nearly 100 volunteer coaches, all DBS-cleared, and each age group has its dedicated manager.
Hugh Duckworth, Chairman of Preston Grasshoppers, said: “Support from local businesses is crucial for community clubs like Preston Grasshoppers. There’s nothing quite like a new kit to foster team spirit among the players. We are grateful to Porsche Centre Preston for their support in promoting rugby development in Preston. We hope to establish a love for rugby amongst hundreds of young players over the next two seasons and beyond.”
Earlier this year, Porsche Centre Prestonextended its sponsorship of Kirkham Grammar School (KGS) rugby 1st XV team, extending its sponsorship into the 2023/24 season. Porsche Centre Preston’s sponsorship of the KGS first XV began last season, the first time it has sponsored one of the school’s first teams. In 2024, Kirkham Grammar School will celebrate 100 years of rugby at the school, having changed from being a soccer to a rugby-playing school in 1924.
Preston Grasshoppers offers a great place for both boys and girls to experience rugby in a safe environment with fully trained and DBS-checked coaches. Players wishing to try rugby for the first time are welcome to try the game for a few sessions before committing to joining the club.
More information about Junior Rugby at Preston Grasshoppers is available from www.pgrfc.co.uk/rugby/mini-junior-and-colts/
