Leeds Rhinos secure sponsor deal ahead of Grand Final

LEEDS Rhinos have been boosted ahead of their engage Super League Grand Final appearance this weekend with the signing of a new sponsorship deal with club sponsor Leeds Building Society.

The UK’s sixth largest building society and the defending Super League champions have agreed a three-year contract which runs from next season until 2012.

Leeds Building Society has sponsored the Rhinos for the last two seasons when they have achieved honours including Carnegie World Club Champions in 2008, Grand Final winners in 2007 and 2008, and the club has secured the League Leaders Shield this year ahead of Saturday’s record third consecutive Grand Final appearance when they face St Helens at Old Trafford.

Leeds Building Society chief executive Ian Ward, said: “We are a successful independent building society that is absolutely committed to the city of Leeds and the communities in which we operate. Our successful, sustainable business model is based on offering flexible, good value for money products backed up by excellent service through our national branch network and Leeds based call centre.

“There are excellent synergies between us and the Rhinos and the sponsorship delivers fantastic exposure for our brand and significantly increases our name awareness. I am also delighted that the Leeds Building Society name will appear on the front of the most popular shirt in rugby.”

“Both the Rhinos and ourselves are successful Leeds organisations, play major roles in the city and we have many customers and staff who are Rhinos supporters. This sponsorship further enhances our relationship with Leeds Rugby and the people of Leeds.”

Leeds Rugby chief executive Gary Hetherington said: “Leeds Building Society has certainly been a lucky sponsor and there is a perfect fit between us both.

“Over the past nine years we have built up a very successful partnership with Leeds Building Society through our affinity account for Rhinos supporters. We share many common ideals. We are both proud of our heritage, are integral parts of the fabric of the city and embrace change. We both reward loyalty and offer outstanding value.

“There can’t be many sponsorships where you carry the city name across your chest and we’re proud of that.

“Our success on the pitch could not be achieved without successful partnerships off it. There is no doubt that having a main club sponsor as successful as Leeds Building Society is vitally important to us and I am sure we will have a bright future together, starting hopefully with a hat-trick of Grand Final successes for us both on Saturday.”