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When Leeds Met Wembley
19/01/07
Leeds Metropolitan University is the new primary partner of the RFL’s most prestigious domestic knock-out tournament, the Carnegie Challenge Cup, which is set to return to Wembley this year.
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The partnership is the first of its kind between a higher education institution and a national sports governing body in England.
The ground-breaking agreement means that the tournament’s official title will be the “Carnegie Challenge Cup” with agreement having been reached for a six year partnership valued at a seven figure sum.
Commenting on the exciting news, the RFL’s Executive Chairman Richard Lewis said: “We welcome Leeds Met Carnegie as the new primary partner of the sport’s most prestigious domestic knock-out tournament.
“The Carnegie Challenge Cup is once again set to be a thrilling tournament which involves teams from all levels of Rugby League and is a major element of the British sporting calendar.
“The agreement with Leeds Met Carnegie is an excellent commercial success for the tournament and the whole sport and we look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with Carnegie.”
Richard Lewis continued: “The partnership between Leeds Met Carnegie and ourselves is both ground-breaking and unique in sport. The RFL believes it is highly appropriate as there is a great deal of synergy between our organizational values and the values of the sport of Rugby League.
“With this proactive approach, Carnegie is leading the field in the development of national and international awareness of their brand and we are confident our partnership can bring many mutual benefits at many levels.
“The RFL also believes that the other elements of the partnership involving both sports performance and academic study are tremendously significant and show the progressive nature of the sport and the University.”
Leeds Met Vice-Chancellor Professor Simon Lee said, “The competition reflects the style of our Great North Uni, engaging families and communities from the UK and the wider world, and reflecting the ‘carnival’ atmosphere of the Wembley tradition which began around the time that our Carnegie College was founded.
“The 12 million TV viewers for the matches, let alone the later draws conducted live on BBC television and radio and the 90,000 at the new Wembley for the final, will learn more about Leeds Met Carnegie, including our commitment to students rubbing shoulders with champions and that we share the values of the RFL in our commitment to a family sport that is deep-rooted in communities but always pioneering.”
Significantly, the title sponsorship of the Carnegie Challenge Cup is among a number of exciting elements included in a major new partnership between Leeds Met and the RFL.
The University’s Carnegie Faculty of Sport & Education at Headingley Campus is to be the base for the Great Britain Rugby League squad’s technical staff and management as well as the new full time engage Super League match officials.
- The University will take over as primary partner of the RFL’s hugely successful Champion Schools tournament – this is the biggest Rugby League knockout tournament in the world and will now be officially known as the Rugby League Carnegie Champion Schools Tournament.
- The University is recognised for world class excellence in the area of sports preparation and will build on this by developing new relevant courses at the university in partnership with the RFL.
- In another interesting development Leeds Met’s Professor of sporting history Tony Collins will work with the RFL on a range of Rugby League academic research projects.
- In addition to the above activity, Leeds Met will be supporting the RFL competition for Further Education and Sixth Form students at under 19 level, the final of which will be around Easter time.
