Bristol-headquartered recruitment group RSG has embraced the good-natured sporting rivalry between the city’s two universities and announced sponsorship deals with clubs at both institutions.
RSG, which is also Bristol City FC’s headline sponsor, is to back the Jets Basketball Club at UWE and the University of Bristol Women’s Rugby Club (UBWRFC).
Players for both will now sport the RSG logo – the Jets on their red jerseys, and UBWRFC with it emblazoned on their maroon strips.
The sponsorship deals have been announced to highlight excellence in both universities’ sports departments and also to embrace the good natured competition between the two.
It is a new venture for RSG, which is used to being involved with sport at the elite level, through the sponsorship of Bristol Flyers Basketball, Bristol City Women’s, Bristol Sport Racing as well as a long-standing relationship with Bristol City.
RSG has a strong connection with both UWE and Bristol University, as many of its 200-strong workforce studied at these institutions. Many members of the team have entered the business through the RSG Academy – a graduate programme looking to develop a career in recruitment.
RSG CEO Mike Beesley, a UWE Business School graduate himself, said: “A host of UWE and Bristol University alumni are current RSG employees, so it’s great to connect in this way with these local institutions.
“I’ll be embracing the varsity spirit in March, especially as a fellow RSG director is a Bristol University alumnus so we’ll be keeping a keen eye on who will emerge as the victor.”
RSG director Adam Meadows, who studied geography at Bristol University, said: “We are very pleased to be adding two more teams to our portfolio and to be adding a new sport in the shape of women’s rugby.
“It’s a great competition and always done in the best of competitive spirits, something we are very happy to support and be involved in.”
UWE head of sport Alex Isaac: “We are delighted that RSG has chosen the Jets to sponsor as it’s really important to us that the team are able to be supported and provided with the tools and equipment they need to compete. It is a great way for a business to give back and we will do everything in our power to do them proud in the coming Varsity Series.”
Bristol University head of sport Matt Birch said: “It’s great that RSG, which is known for its backing of elite sport in the city, is investing in UBWRFC as this kind of support is important in helping the team with their training.
“The fact the RSG directors have studied at each of the universities in Bristol just shows how powerful the connection is also for our alumni – and that the friendly competition between the two never quite leaves you.”
The rivalry between the two universities is most notable when it comes to sport, with the annual head-to-head Varsity Series the headline event. Around 1,500 students in 90 teams, including these two sponsored clubs, battle for pride in their respective sports. Aside from the excitement of the rivalry, the initiative has raised over £50,000 for local charities in the last five years.
Tickets are available for all the varsity events at http://varsityseries.com
Pictured: RSG directors Mike Beesley and Adam Meadows with the UWE Jets Basketball Club and University of Bristol Women’s Rugby Club
