New rugby partnership to support grassroots sport

Saints Sport at the University of St Andrews have developed a new partnership with global technology company Emtelle, who have become the official partner of the University of St Andrews Rugby Football Club – Saints Rugby.

The new partnership will provide opportunities for Emtelle to support the development of the whole rugby programme at St Andrews, from grassroots to performance level, enhancing the rugby experience for all students.

Awarded Club of the Year at the Scottish Student Sport Awards 2022, recognising the club’s off-field impact in the areas of increased participation, innovative projects, developing volunteers, promoting the role of officials, fundraising, and creating community links, the Rugby Club is well positioned to go from strength to strength. Club membership has doubled in the last couple of years, allowing the club to set up a development team for the first time. It has seen an increase of 50% membership in the Women’s squad and has raised more than £38,000 for the Movember charity in the past two years.

Dave Morris, Director of Rugby at Saints Sport, said: “Our vision is to deliver a world-renowned university rugby programme that provides players with a unique rugby experience and comprehensive levels of support that enables them to fulfil their potential, both academically and on the rugby field. We are extremely appreciative of the generous support from Emtelle this season, which has helped us to expand our offering and we very much look forward to developing our relationship with them long term.

“Excellence, innovation, empowerment, teamwork, integrity, and respect are core values within Emtelle’s DNA, and resonate with the type of rugby environment and sense of belonging we are aiming to build within our players, alumni and supporters.”

The partnership will also provide a platform for establishing strong links between St Andrews researchers and Emtelle as the University seeks to engage with external partners from industry to deliver research with societal impact under the Entrepreneurial theme of the Strategic Plan 2022-2027. Dr Amit Kumar of the University’s School of Chemistry met with Emtelle Chief Executive Tony Rodgers on a visit to St Andrews to meet the Saints Sport rugby teams and roll out the new strips. Dr Kumar and his research group will visit the Emtelle factory in the Scottish Borders to discuss how the company can support the work of the School.

Emtelle , a global manufacturer exporting blown fibre and ducted network solutions for the telecoms industry, is headquartered in the Scottish Borders with manufacturing operations in Wales, Germany, Denmark, the UAE, and the US. The company’s 40-year journey has been one of continuous innovation, research and development. Proud of its Scottish roots, Emtelle is a keen supporter of communities throughout the nation, including historic institutions such as University of St Andrews.

Tony Rodgers said: “Emtelle is delighted to be a sponsor and partner of Saints Rugby, an integral part of the University of St Andrews for 160 years. As a company we pride ourselves on supporting grassroots sport throughout Scotland, and being based in Hawick, a part of the nation known for its great love of rugby, we know the joy and passion that the game brings to people, especially the next generation of talented players. Therefore very much look forward to seeing the Emtelle logo on their strips.”