Mazda UK has been appointed as the ‘Official Vehicle Partner’ for Ulster Rugby Club (www.ulsterrugby.com). As part of a three-year sponsorship agreement, Mazda UK will supply cars to the Club’s players and staff. The sponsorship will also involve joint marketing initiatives with Mazda dealers and the Ulster Branch’s 55 affiliated rugby clubs across the Province. Mazda will have a presence at all home matches at the Ravenhill Grounds in Belfast, using pitch-side advertising and product placement throughout the season.

Mazda UK’s support comes at an important time for Ulster Rugby Club as it competes in two of the northern hemisphere’s elite competitions – the Heineken Cup and RaboDirect PRO12. The Club’s new signing, New Zealander Jared Payne, was the first Ulster player to receive a vehicle, a brand new Mazda6 2.2 Diesel Sport Estate. Further Mazda models will be delivered to the Club throughout the season.

Ulster’s Director of Rugby, David Humphreys, said, “We’ve had a good start to the season so far and we’ve got high hopes that we can continue to make significant progress over last season. Mazda shares our aspirations of being best-in-class and we are very pleased with the sponsorship agreement. It is an energetic and ambitious brand with fantastic products and we’re glad of their support, especially over the next few years as we strive for success in both the Heineken Cup and RaboDirect PRO12.”

The sport of Rugby requires athleticism and performance which epitomises the attributes of the full Mazda range – sporty design, responsive handling and driving performance. Like Ulster Rugby Club, Mazda continuously strives to improve its performance and is preparing to launch it sixth generation model range in early 2012. Complete with Mazda’s groundbreaking SKYACTIV Technology, each new model will deliver class-leading fuel consumption and significantly lower CO2 emissions, while retaining Mazda's fun-to-drive characteristics.

Jeremy Thompson, Managing Director for Mazda UK commented, “With Ulster Rugby currently doing well in the RaboDirect PRO12, it is an exciting time to support them off the pitch with the provision of cars. We are looking forward to working with the club on various marketing initiatives to heighten Mazda’s brand profile in Northern Ireland, and using our network of Mazda dealers we will also offer support to the Ulster Branch’s 55 affiliated rugby clubs across the Province.”

In addition to Mazda UK’s sponsorship of Ulster Rugby, Mazda Ireland has recently announced a three-year title sponsorship agreement with one of Ulster’s RaboDirect PRO12 opponents, Galway-based Connacht – further strengthening Mazda’s brand awareness in the North and South of Ireland.