#rugbyleague BLOG 2010/11 BARLA announce new sponsorship ahead of Dubai Sevens

Entry 17, 19th November


I received an e-mail this morning which contained the following press release:

BARLA PRESS RELEASE

BLAKELEY’S ON BOARD WITH THE BARLA BULLDOGS AT EMIRATES AIRLINES DUBAI SEVENS

BARLA are pleased to announce that Blakeley’s Waste Management Ltd are to sponsor the BARLA Great Britain Bulldogs for an undisclosed four figure sponsorship which will see the companies name and logo emblazoned on their shirt when they compete in the Emirates Airlines Dubai Sevens next month.

This is the second year that the Bulldogs have been invited to this prestige blue riband tournament but the first time that Blakeley’s Waste Management Ltd have sponsored a BARLA International side.

Blakeley’s Waste Management Ltd has been established for over 25 years and has built a reputation for excellent service in the field of waste management. They are located on an 8 acre site near Wigan and offer a comprehensive range of waste management collection and recycling services across the North West of England. The Company has recently received approval for its ambitious plans to create an Environment, Energy and Ecology Centre at its site. The facility will use state of the art automatic separation equipment to maximise recycling of waste and the energy plant will convert material normally destined for landfill into green Electricity. The company s aiming to have a Zero landfill solution by 2012.

Managing Director Stephen Blakeley, a former director of Leigh Centurions said, ”I was involved in rugby league for many years and I have always had a great passion for the game both at professional and amateur level. I was a director at the Leigh Centurions for some years before resigning to concentrate on running my business.

"However Rugby league is in my blood and like to do what I can to help so I was pleased to help when I was told about the invitation to the Emirates Airlines Dubai Sevens. We are sponsoring the over thirty fives side BARLA Great Britain Bulldogs, I wish them all the best for the tournament and hope they can continue the success of last year."

Mick Turner BARLA Great Britain International Manager,

“I am pleased to welcome Steve Blakeley and Blakeley’s Waste Management Ltd on board as one of BARLA’s sponsors and thank them for sponsoring the Bulldogs which will see their name on the front of the shirt.

“In these economic times it is difficult to gain such sponsorship and during a conversation with Steve about the forthcoming trip I became aware of how passionate he is about the sport of rugby league and ”he had no hesitation in offering to help the trip financially.

*** ENDS ***

I have two points to make on this. Firstly I think it's great that Blakeley's are back in Rugby League Sponsorship. Steve is a good man who over several years was invaluable to Leigh Centurions and did a good job on the board. I hope his association is a long a fruitful one and wish him and his company all the best.

The second point is one I raised last year. Why are we as a Rugby League nation, entering teams in a Rugby Union competition. This is where I am at odds with the BARLA Mantra of "see the world", What benefit is this competition to our crack amateur players? Okay I can see the value of networking for the Masters but why should clubs raise funds to send their players halfway around the world to play another sport? Another question I have is would Rugby Union do the same if they were invited to a League tournament?

Call me a flat capper but I am sure funds are better raised elsewhere, or am I on my own in that thought. Let me know over on Twitter @DParkyRL I'd be interested to read your comments.

RL Comment

I notice that Semi Tadulala is the latest RL player to switch to Rugby Union.

He previously crossed the divide a couple of years ago but injuries prevented him from playing. It is a shame to see another talented player in another code, hot on the heels of Motu Tony at Hull RUFC. It would be fair to say that Tadulala's defection is a little higher profile, mainly due to the positioning of the club he's gone too.

Gloucester have a fine history in that code and have been known to dabble with Rugby League talent before. Henry Paul played a stint there while Lesley Vainikolo who has also won 5 caps for England RU in addition to the several he won for New Zealand Rugby League (and to think there was all that fuss when Maurie Fa'asavalu was picked for GB a couple of years ago).

Another former RL player is lighting up Leicester at the moment in Lote Tuquiri. The former Fiji RL and Wallaby RU star is currently a man in form for the Tigers and scored a couple of tries in their recent hamering of London Wasps.

Tadulala is a loss, particularly for Bradford but I get the feeling that the Bulls are going in a different direction next season, they have promoted some youth while David Halley really stepped up last season. It is still a pity. I thought Tadulala played his best rugby with Wakefield  alongside David Solomona and Ryan Atkins(both now of Warrington).