Date: Fri 18 Jan 2013

Thatcham RFC are today celebrating the news that they will be training with leading Premiership Rugby coaches and players after QBE, the business insurance specialist, announced the winners of its 2013 QBE Rugby Pro competition.

Thatcham RFC will be training with London Irish courtesy of QBE, Official Business Insurance Partner of Premiership Rugby. They are one of twelve winning amateur clubs who will receive a bespoke training session specifically designed by coaches from Premiership Rugby clubs. These sessions will address particular training requirements of both the coaches and players at each winning club, and in addition take home £1,000 worth of training kit.

Now in its third year, QBE Rugby Pro rewards amateur rugby clubs in England who best demonstrate the benefits expert guidance from top Premiership Rugby coaches and players would provide.

QBE’s partnership with Premiership Rugby allows amateur clubs the opportunity to benefit from expert coaching and advice and forms part of the wider QBE Coaching Programme, which aims to improve the quality of rugby coaching in England at a grassroots level.

The judging panel, which consisted of members of the media, Premiership Rugby and QBE were extremely impressed by Thatcham RFC’s growth in stature over recent seasons. The Club, founded in 1981 was on the brink of folding in 2001 but last season witnessed the club’s most successful year to date having secured back to back promotions.

William Sewell, Chairman of Thatcham RFC, said: “We are so proud to win this fantastic prize. The team have got a real appetite for the sport and this is a great reward for the hard work that has gone on behind the scenes. It will undoubtedly benefit our players and coaches to train with professionals from London Irish.”

Mike Bowen, Commercial Manager of QBE’s Stafford operation, said: “We are delighted that Thatcham RFC has won. Their entry was a great example of how sport helps inspire the community, and we hope that the contribution of a specialist training session and new equipment from QBE will help the club to develop and introduce more people to the game.”

For more information on the winning clubs and further details on QBE Rugby Pro visit www.QBErugby.com.