Newton Abbot RFC

New Sponsorship Deal Signed

St Austell Brewery has signed a sponsorship deal to support Newton Abbot RFC, through the Brewery's flagship Tribute Ale brand.

The agreement means the first team now take to the field in the Tribute South West 2 West league, proudly sporting the Tribute logo on their shirts. St Austell Brewery also remains the main supplier to Newton Abbot's club bar providing some of the very best locally brewed, award winning cask ales.

St Austell Brewery Sales Development Manager, Pete Wilkie recently joined with Newton Abbot RFC players and members of the clubs committee to unveil the shirts.

Pete said "We're delighted to be supporting Newton Abbot RFC in 2008/09 and it was great to join with the club and celebrate the completion of the sponsorship deal"

"Tribute Ale has enjoyed a year of success, smashing its sales records for the seventh successive year, and claiming its title as the South West's favourite beer. With rugby regarded as the South West's favourite sport it is really quite fitting that Tribute Ale is the title sponsor of the South West leagues, and sponsors a number of local rugby clubs across Devon and Cornwall"

Peter added: "Through the sponsorship deal visitors to the club's bar will also be able to continue enjoying St Austell Brewery's selection of award winning excellent ales".

Graham Rooke, Chairman of Newton Abbot RFC said: "We are delighted to have signed a deal with St Austell Brewery through their hugely successful Tribute Ale brand. We're confident the deal will be a great success on and off the pitch."

The deal with Newton Abbot RFC is a further example of St Austell Brewery continuing to invest in grass roots rugby across the region. As well as sponsoring a number of individual clubs in Devon and Cornwall, for the second year. Tribute is the official beer of South West rugby through its sponsorship of 14 South West Leagues, encompassing 158 rugby teams in leagues level six and below, across the region.

The announcement of the rugby sponsorship deal continues a hugely exciting year for St Austell Brewery and its Tribute Ale. Tribute is bucking the economic slow down with sales in September nationally over 80% up on the same period in 2007

Just this year Tribute was also named as one of the UK's top ten ales and clinched a national sales deal with Waitrose.

Graham Rooke, Managing Director of Peplows, presents Jason Keenan with his Man of the Match award, after the game against Paignton

Phil & Gill Loader receive their RFU Volunteer awards, from Devon RFU's Terry Brown

Keith Maclean, having received his RFU volunteers Award

Dave Scarlett of Newton Timber & new sponsor of the Second XV,

presents Mike Sexton with his Man of the Match shirt.

Flanked by Graham Rooke & Tom Meek

Ray & Sue - Landlord & Landlady respectively of "The Fox" in Queen Street have continued their sponsorship of the All Whites 1st XV Warm Up Shirts for the 2nd year, pictured with the couple are: Keith MacLean 1st XV Manager, Phil Burford Director of Coaching and 1st XV Player - Andy Birkett.

Former Players Lunch – Saturday 15th November 2008

Club Chairman Graham Rooke welcomed the attendees who were joined by four guests from visiting Yatton.

The Club’s and Teignbridge’s recently appointed Community Rugby Liaison Officer, Ben Rowntree, introduced himself and Director of Rugby Phil Burford set the scene for the on-pitch action.

The Schafer family had the luck of the draw with Tony “Dad” Schafer winning a replica “All Whites” shirt and son Mathew picking up a bottle of port which he no doubt shared with his brother Ian who was also there.

After lunch Yatton were beaten 46-3, before most of us reconvened in the bar to catch up on old times. A few survivors managed to take in the Kareoke entertainment several hours later.

The organisers were more than pleased with the success of the lunch, but know there are many more former players who they would like to have seen – perhaps next time !!

Any former players who wish to be informed of future events are asked to send their details (to include name, address, telephone number and e-mail) to Mike Dart at mjdart@tiscali.co.uk .

Mike commented : “It was great to see so many different faces – apologies if I did not recognise everyone – especially those who we don’t see on a regular basis.

We had players who first pulled on a shirt for Newton Colts in the fifties, representatives from the sixties when the Club was in its heyday and a strong presence of the players that kept the club going in the dark days of the late seventies. I seem to remember us winning only two matches of about 40 in one particular season”.

Now that the twelve year gap has been bridged the Club hope to make the Former Players lunches a regular event, at least once a season but preferably twice.

The Man Of The Match Awards 2008/2009

ST IVES	-	Neil JOHNS
ST MARYS	-	Richie HEWITT
TORQUAY	-	Paul DOWRICK
PAIGNTON	-	Jason KEENAN
SIDMOUTH	-	Simon MABIN
BRIXHAM IC	-	Ian MILTON
CLEVEDON	-	Alex HUNTLEY
AVONMOUTH	-	Simon MABIN
TAUNTON	-	Jan VISKOPER
YATTON	-	Ian MILTON
TORQUAY IC	-	Nick HOLT
BRIXHAM	-	Simon MABIN
WALCOT	-	Mike SAXTON
CLIFTON IC	-	Nigel CANE
TAUNTON	-	Alex MOORE
YATTON	-	Paul DOWRICK
AVONMOUTH	-	Damien CHAMBERS
CLEVEDON	-	Paul DOWRICK
SIDMOUTH	-	Damien CHAMBERS
PAIGNTON	-	Ben ROWNTREE
EXMOUTH DC	-	Nigel CANE
TORQUAY	-	Nick HAMMOND
ST MARYS	-	Paul WARREN
BARNSTAPLE	-	Andy BIRKETT
ST IVES	-	Robbie ROBERTS
WALCOT	-	Andy BIRKETT
BRIXHAM	-	Jason KEENAN
READING	-	Jason KEENAN