07 May 2008
The Co-operative, sponsors of The Co-operative National Leagues and Conference in rugby league, have announced the signing of St Helens star Jon Wilkin, and Salford City Reds’ Robbie Paul, as brand ambassadors.
Wilkin (24) is one of the sport’s most promising back rowers and a current Great Britain international. He started his career at Hull Kingston Rovers and is famous for scoring two tries in the 2006 Challenge Cup Final despite playing with a broken nose.
Last year he won the inaugural Professional Players Foundation (PPF) Community Champion Award, run in partnership with The Observer newspaper, which was established to recognise professional players who make an outstanding contribution to the community.
Robbie Paul (32) is one of the most celebrated and recognised players in rugby league after a star studded career at Bradford Bulls where he won three Grand Finals, two World Club Challenges, one Challenge Cup and the Lance Todd Trophy in 1996.
The former New Zealand international and current Vice Captain of Salford, works tirelessly to promote rugby league and is a co-presenter on the BBC’s Super League Show.
Both will support and be integrated into The Co-operative’s rugby league sponsorship leverage campaign which will reinforce The Co-operative’s ‘Good For Everyone’ brand vision.
Liz Matkin, The Co-operative Sponsorship Manager, said: “We’re delighted to have secured both Jon and Robbie as brand ambassadors for The Co-operative. In their own ways they reflect and support our ‘Good For Everyone’ vision, where community and healthy values are so important.
“They’ve both either played, or do play, at the level of rugby league in which we sponsor so realise and respect what we are trying to achieve for fans, clubs and rugby league as a whole.
“They’re high profile, inspirational and respected figureheads for us, that means in addition to adding value to our activity with National League clubs and their supporters, we’ll also be able to reach beyond traditional heartland areas.”
Jon Wilkin added: “It’s a privilege to be an ambassador for The Co-operative and assist them in spreading the ‘Good For Everyone’ message in rugby league. The sport has so many great attributes and has been very good for me in my career, so anything I can give back to the game is a tremendous honour.”
Robbie Paul commented: “I’m really looking forward to the activity we have planned for The Co-operative, and delighted to play my part. The Co-operative is a perfect match for the sport as a sponsor and it’s tremendous news that they’re being so proactive. Rugby league can educate on social values and do so much good for communities, and that’s what we’ll be working hard to achieve in the coming months.”
