Vodafone Qatar announces an agreement to sponsor the Doha Rugby Football Centre

Vodafone Qatar announced today an agreement to sponsor the Doha Rugby Football Centre (DRFC) with the Clubhouse now to be called the DRFC Vodafone Rugby Clubhouse.

The DRFC "official" club was formed in 1974 and was known as the Qatar Rugby Union Football Club.   It is one of the oldest clubs of any type in Qatar and one of the oldest rugby clubs in the Arabian Gulf .

The club currently fields 2 senior men's teams, a veteran men's team, two ladies teams and a full range of junior sides from under 19 years to under 6 years. There is also a thriving touch rugby league.   The club has also been known to field cricket teams and a sister organisation uses the club's facilities to play Gaelic rugby and other Irish activities. The club is also adjacent to the Doha College which also use some of the field and pool facilities.

"Vodafone globally is a big supporter of the world's biggest name sports like Formula 1, Champions League Football and Cricket. Just as important is supporting sport across all levels including local clubs like the Doha Rugby Football Centre. This is a wonderful club that supports the local community in so many ways from the adult playing community to young school children across many sports. We are incredibly proud of this relationship," said Daniel Horan, Director of Consumer Business.

"DRFC is very proud to secure Vodafone as its Clubhouse sponsor.   This is one of the largest sponsorship deals that DRFC has ever secured and it is particularly exciting link as Vodafone are such giants in telecom and sports sponsorship.   To be grouped together which such sporting legends as Vodafone Warriors, Vodafone Wellington Lions and Waikato Rugby in New Zealand, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 racing team, the Euro Football Champions league and England cricket   is a great honour," said Keith Townson, DRFC's Sponsorship Secretary.   He added "We are hoping that the mutual benefits achieved from this link will help forge a great relationship and give Vodafone the confidence to be the title owner of the planned new facility."

"The rugby club is one of the oldest institutions in Qatar," said Howard Bevan, Chairman of DRFC. "We welcome the enthusiasm, love of sport and drive of our new partners. DRFC is essentially self funding and this sponsorship arrangement is most welcome. In return the club will do everything it can to promote the Vodafone brands within Qatar; we look forward to a fruitful long standing relationship with Vodafone".

September 28,2009