New Sponsorship Deal for Combined Services Teams and The Royal British Legion

Combined Services Rugby and Boxing teams will compete in support of the UK’s leading Armed Forces charity, thanks to a three-year sponsorship agreement with The Royal British Legion.

The partnership with Combined Services sport signals the Legion’s new focus on activity-based rehabilitation for seriously injured Service men and women.

Sponsorship will kick off on Tuesday 9 November when Armed Forces rugby players take on elite rugby sensations Barbarian FC, at the Army Rugby Stadium in Aldershot. Now in its 13th year, this annual Remembrance rugby game is a show of sporting solidarity in honour of those who serve.

This will be followed by Combined Services Rugby’s first international game in 15 years against mighty Manu Samoa, on Wednesday 17 November at Gloucester Kingsholm.

CS Rugby players will be wearing their new Poppy branded shirts during both matches, from which proceeds will go towards the Legion’s vital work.

Exciting fixtures to come for CS Boxing include the Inter-Services Boxing Championships on Thursday 10 March 2011 in Aldershot.

The Royal British Legion has recently announced it will operate four Personnel Recovery Centres and build, equip and operate the Battle Back Challenge Centre (BBCC) for adaptive sports and adventure training.

The Legion’s Director General, Chris Simpkins, said: “Through our £25 million commitment to these projects, the Legion will help injured personnel to return to active Service or resettle back into civilian life.”

President and Chairman of CS Boxing and Rugby respectively, Major General Lamont Kirkland CBE, MA added: “We are delighted to work with the Royal British Legion in such a positive way. Exciting times lay ahead for both Rugby and Boxing. There is a direct link between sporting excellence and operational success and the support provided by The Royal British Legion will help our troops to achieve both these outcomes.”

More: www.britishlegion.org.uk