Super Rugby AU champions the Queensland Reds are going to market for a naming rights sponsor for the first time in more than a decade.
It will be only the fourth principal naming rights partner for the Reds in more than 30 years and follows their thrilling Grand Final victory at Suncorp Stadium earlier this year where Queensland claimed the domestic title.
The opportunity for another blue-chip organisation to join the Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) follows existing naming rights sponsor St.George moving from the front of Queensland’s playing jersey to the sleeve.
QRU CEO David Hanham said: “This is a terrific opportunity for another corporate partner to join our Reds family.
“We have already had several approaches from leading organisations to be the principal naming rights and front-of-jersey partner for the Reds – a premium spot for a premium team.
“This year the Reds were consistently the best-supported Super Rugby team in Australia with the biggest crowds and the biggest TV audiences. Also, since the move to show Super Rugby matches live on free-to-air with Nine and on Stan Sport subscription, Reds matches have been more than doubling the audience from Fox Sports.
“The Reds are on the rise – we won three pieces of silverware this year including the Super Rugby AU title, the Bob Templeton Cup (following back-to-back wins against New South Wales) and for the first time in nine years Queensland now holds the Rod Macqueen Cup (following home-and-away victories over the Brumbies).
“The Grand Final where more than 42,000 packed Suncorp Stadium was also the highest attended Australian domestic rugby fixture in over a decade. Queensland also had the highest viewership and attendance of all Super Rugby AU franchises this year.
“This partnership is more than just the Reds. The QRU has a strong focus on diversity and grassroots programs with 240 clubs and 50,000 participants all under its banner right across this great state.
“We have been extremely pleased that St.George will be continuing their sponsorship of the Reds with a focus on community engagement which will see them continue a 14-year commitment to Rugby in Queensland,” said Hanham.
The successful corporate candidate will join an already strong family of sponsors including St.George, Santos, Rio Tinto, Dynasty Sport, TFH and Alliance Airlines.
