photo by Mark Harris

As the Welsh Rugby League team begin their qualification matches for the 2008 World Cup finals in Australia, the side has secured a new three-year sponsorship deal which will take them up to and beyond the tournament.

Cardiff-based vehicle supplier and fleet management specialist, 1 Two 1 Cars.com has announced the three year package which will enable the Welsh Rugby League to establish a development programme across the principality.

As well as opening its World Cup qualification campaign against Scotland at Bridgend’s Brewery Field on Sunday (29 October) Rugby League in Wales is preparing to celebrate its centenary year next season.

Martyn Coomber, Managing Director of 1 Two 1 Cars.com believes that the sport in Wales is becoming increasingly attractive as more players are able to cross between the two codes of Union and League more easily.

Coomber said “We have always seen some of Rugby Union’s top players cross to League in the past.  Now, in the professional era, we have seen players cross back and forth with equal success on the field, Wales’ own Iestyn Harris being one of the best examples of this.

“There are more than 2,000 people regularly playing rugby league in Wales and this number looks set to increase.  1 Two 1 Cars.com is very pleased to be part of this success and we look forward to supporting the Welsh team and the development of the sport in Wales for the next three years at least.”

Executive Chairman of the Welsh Rugby League, former Rugby Union international second row forward Mark Rowley, said: “Our new sponsorship agreement with 1 Two 1 Cars.com will enable the sport in Wales to continue to expand as we move into our centenary year in the principality.

“The Welsh Premier League has nine teams across south Wales, from Newport in the east to Llanelli in the west.  In addition to the senior professional sides there are amateur teams and regional junior sides from under-13 upwards.

“As well as being our main jersey sponsor 1 Two 1 Cars.com is supporting two development officers who will be visiting schools and clubs across the region in the winter months, giving some people their first taste of what is an increasingly popular sport in South Wales.”