Devon Rugby Football Club is pleased to extend an invitation to partner with our successful teams for the upcoming 2025 season. Building upon our remarkable achievement as the 2024 County Champions for both Senior Men’s and Women’s teams, we are looking forward to another exciting season, including the County Championship in 2025.
We offer a range of impactful sponsorship opportunities, including our popular shirt sponsorship package. This provides a cost-effective platform for your brand to gain significant exposure, not only within Devon but also on a national scale as our teams compete at the highest levels. Furthermore, we are producing a comprehensive Souvenir Programme for the 2025 season, which will highlight the rich history of Devon Rugby and our representative teams, spanning U17, U18, U20, Senior Men’s, and Senior Women’s.
The rate card details the various advertising options available within the programme. As a valued sponsor, you will receive invitations to County games, prominent recognition on the Devon RFC website, and consistent mentions in our social media posts. We invite you to join our winning team and contribute to the continued success of Devon Rugby.
Please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss these opportunities further.
Mike Dymond
Commercial Manager
commercial@devonrfu.com
07521 058325
HISTORY
The Devon Rugby Football Union (Devon RFU) has a storied history dating back to its formation in 1877. Initially established as the Devon County Football Club, it functioned solely as a representative team without administrative responsibilities. The inaugural recorded county match took place in March 1876 against Somerset in Taunton, with Devon emerging victorious by a goal to nil. This match was notably promoted as ‘The Gentlemen of Somerset v The Gentlemen of Devon’.
In response to concerns about equitable player selection from various clubs, the Devon County Football Association was established in 1881, introducing organised regional trials to ensure a fair selection process. The late 19th and early 20th centuries marked a period of significant growth for rugby in Devon, with numerous clubs emerging across the county. During this era, Devon’s representative team achieved considerable success, securing the County Championship titles in 1899, 1901, 1906, 1907, 1911, and 1912.
Devon has also played host to several international touring teams. In 1889, the New Zealand Maoris were the first overseas opponents, defeating Devon 13-0. Notably, in 1905, Devon faced the Original All Blacks during their inaugural UK tour, though the match resulted in a 55-4 defeat for Devon. The county continued to attract international teams, including matches against the South Africans in 1906 and the Australians in 1908.
Throughout its history, the Devon RFU has been committed to promoting and developing rugby at all levels within the county. Its objectives include supporting the community game, providing pathways for representative rugby, and leading initiatives that uphold the core values of the sport. Today, the Devon RFU continues to foster the growth and sustainability of rugby, ensuring a vibrant future for the game in the region.