Quins seal record sponsorship deal

Harlequins have announced a major three year partnership with WIN plc, a leading provider of interactive mobile entertainment and information services.

In what is the biggest sponsorship deal in the Super League club’s history, WIN will appear on the front of the home and away kits until the end of the 2012 season.

WIN specializes in providing services for mobile telephone users – including interactive games, live voting, music distribution, videos and news delivery. As part of the sponsorship deal, WIN will work with Harlequins Rugby League to develop exciting new ways for fans to interact and engage with the club using both mobile telephones and the internet.

Voting for man of the match awards, streaming video content and a pioneering SMS donation system developed by WIN which will allow fans to donate to the Harlequins Foundation registered charity without VAT deductions, will all be made available in the forthcoming season.

Harlequins Rugby League general manager, Paul Blanchard, said: “I am delighted to welcome WIN to London’s only Super League club and am very excited about our new long term partnership. This is the largest sponsorship deal in history of Harlequins Rugby League and another sign of the hard work being done by the club to grow and strengthen in all areas.

“We’re very excited about using technologies developed by WIN during the coming seasons to take our interaction with fans to the next level. There will be some really interesting developments at our matches and on our website which we look forward to unveiling.”

Harlequins Rugby League head coach, Brian McDermott said: “The new partnership with WIN is another indication that Harlequins Rugby League is continuing to move in the right direction.

“We’ve always said that our long term goals are to win games and win grand finals, and the players are certainly looking forward to having the word ‘WIN’ on the front of their shirts from next season.”

Graham Rivers, CEO of WIN plc said: “While some sports grapple with the use of new technology, Rugby League has embraced it and that makes the sport a perfect partner for WIN.  We will be launching some fun services for fans at home games as well as allowing them to keep in touch with the team during the week and when they are on the road.  We’re looking forward to a winning season for everyone connected with the club.”

The Super League 2010 home and away replica shirts are expected to arrive ahead of the new season.