Lancashire Schools 2009/2010

Sports & Corportate Group Travel Limited - new sponsor to Lancashire Schools Cup & Plate competition. Sports and Corporate Group Travel & Events Limited, based in Saddleworth, Oldham, is backing the principal schools rugby competition in Lancashire through the remainder of this season, and for the following two years.

Sports & Corporate Group Travel specialises in offering clients a stimulating experience through dynamic participation tours and events. The company arranges sports tours for all age groups from clubs, schools and universities and the destinations are equally varied, ranging from the UK and Europe to countries including South Africa, Canada and the Far East.

A number of Lancashire clubs and schools have already arranged tours with the company and Matthew Casson and his team at Sports and Corporate Group Travel is aiming to expand the company's presence in more of Lancashire's traditional schools and colleges and schools where rugby is still developing as an option.

In addition to rugby, the company offers comprehensive travel packages for cricket, football, swimming, netball, water polo and ice hockey.

The relationship will bring other opportunities for the Lancashire Schools committee to draw on their joint expertise. Sports & Corporate Group Travel has a long-standing connection with Sale Sharks and, in conjunction with the County, they will examine ways to develop the game in Lancashire's schools.

Matthew Casson, Managing Director of Sports & Corporate Group Travel commented, "We are delighted to support the growth of rugby union in Lancashire and, given our links with Sale Sharks, we are looking forward to working the Lancashire Schools Union which is, I know, the envy of counties across England.

Paul Fernside, Chairman of the Lancashire Schools Union, said, "On the day we release the draw for the 2008/09 Plate Draw, this is great news. We look forward to a long and productive relationship with Matthew and Sports and Corporate Travel. A number of successful tours have been arranged; I hope there are many more."

To the Lancashire Schools Cup, previously without a sponsor and now in its eleventh season, the orgainsing committee recently added a Plate Competition to the calendar at all the five age groups (Under 13s, 14s, 15s 16 & 18s). This complementary knock-out has both widened the appeal of the tournament and also provided a bumper end-of-season festival occasion for the County, and now for the new sponsors. Schools Finals Day is to be held on Sunday, 29th March 2009 at Blackburn RUFC.