Audi Athlone will remain as title sponsor to Buccaneers Rugby Football Club for a ninth conscutive season, it was confirmed at a season launching function which took place in The Bounty recently.
Club President, Patrick O’Meara welcomed the guests and sponsors and expressed his gratitude for the ongoing support provided to the club by sponsors. It is not easy to secure them in these times and to have a generous sponsor such as Audi Athlone for a long number of years is now a rarity to be cherished. Although there is massive volunteerism in the club, with Buccaneers fielding up to 25 teams, financial support is also vital. He hoped that the relationship would be mutually beneficial.
In reply, Michael Moore Jnr., Managing Director of Audi Athlone, stated that he “was proud to continue their long association with Buccaneers” and he looked forward “to continuing with this partnership into the future. It is a credit to the club in the heart of the thriving Midlands to have produced some great talented players throughout the years, two of whom are currently representing Ireland at the Rugby World Cup.
“To the recent rugby success of both Ireland’s club and international sides, childrens’ participation in rugby has vastly increased and this is very evident at Buccaneers. But this takes a lot of hard work and dedication to manage which is clearly present in the club from the coaches, managers, volunteers and supporters throughout every season.
“This is both personally and widely recognised by our local community and the rest of the Irish rugby network. This hard work is all about constant and continual improvements in everything we do, not only in club rugby but in achieving whatever our own goals are in life. I wish the club a great upcoming season and hopefully a swift return to Division 1B.”
Head Coach Peter O’Donnell lauded the players’ pre-season attitude as they strive for promotion back to Division 1B of the All Ireland league.
“I have been impressed with how the players have bought into what we are trying to achieve both on and off the field. The club has a knowledgeable and diligent coaching and management team who, with the players, will be doing our best to get the club moving in the right direction and I would like to thank Audi Athlone for their invaluable patronage,” the head coach emphasised.
Club Captain, Shane Layden, was also grateful for the continued support of Buccaneers by the title sponsor, assuring tthose present that the players and coaching staff were working hard as the countdown to the opening match gathered pace.
“We will be doing our utmost and are relishing the chance to achieve success this year,” the club captain stated.
Mayor of Athlone, Cllr. Frankie Keena, noted that Buccaneers was one key strand of a very sporting town. He complimented the club on the magnificent facilities at Dubarry Park which serve the community so well.
Sport is particularly valuable and positive for the youth of the town. He acknowledged the generosity of companies such as Audi Athlone in supporting organisations like Buccaneers and, of course, in also providing very worthwhile employment at their impressive premises in Athlone.
