Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens, the largest and oldest schools’ rugby 7s event in the world, is delighted to announce Howden, the global insurance intermediary group, as the new title sponsor for the Howden Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens.
The sponsorship represents further evidence of Howden’s continued commitment to sport, and rugby in particular, following the recent announcement that they are to be the Principal Partner of the British & Irish Lions men’s tour in Australia in 2025, and Series Partner of the inaugural women’s tour in New Zealand in 2027.
David Howden, CEO, Howden, said: “We have been supporting community and professional sport, from the grassroots to the elite, for over a decade through our Sport and Entertainment division, which places insurance for amateur and professional sport and entertainment organisations. With over 200 branches across the UK offering specialist broking expertise and advice, from personal lines through to commercial insurance, we are deeply embedded in our local communities and committed to nurturing the growth of grassroots rugby, which is crucial to the future of the sport.
“Nowhere is this more pertinent than in schools’ rugby and this is why we have partnered with the oldest and most prestigious schools’ rugby tournament in the world – the Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens. Whether it’s unearthing a future Lions player or giving someone their first chance to compete, the Rosslyn Park Sevens is an iconic rugby tournament and we’re excited to be part of it.”
Taking place between 18 and 22 March in South West London, the young competitors will be watched live by over 10,000 spectators. With action on 26 pitches simultaneously, live coverage of all the action on the marquee pitches will also be streamed online – last year the event received over 15 million digital impressions.
From its beginning in 1939, the tournament has been recognised as a major event in the international school sports calendar. A significant number of international rugby players tasted competitive rugby for the first time at the tournament, including Gareth Edwards, Will Carling, Tatyana Heard, Johnny Wilkinson, Lawrence Dallaglio, Connie Powell and Marcus Smith.
The 2024 tournament is set to be the biggest in its history, with over 14,000 girls and boys between the ages 11 and 18 taking part from over 520 schools across the spectrum of state and independent schools, including a number of schools from overseas. This year’s event will also see the number of girls playing continue to climb.
Dom Shabbo, Managing Director, Rosslyn Park: “We’re delighted to secure Howden as the new title sponsors. Howden shares our obvious commitment to grassroots rugby and to finding both the male and female stars of the future. We look forward to growing the event with them and also supporting their British & Irish Lions plans.”
The four-year deal will see Howden fully integrated into the event, including ‘Ready for Rosslyn’, a new initiative that involves a UK-wide tour and focuses on preparing the schools taking part in the tournament.