Motor retailer Vertu partners with Dame Allan’s rugby team

Vertu has partnered with Dame Allan’s Schools, in Newcastle, which fields rugby teams that regularly compete in a range of both regional and national competitions.

As part of the agreement, the team’s First XV will wear newly branded Vertu rugby shirts, along with similarly branded warm-up kit and jackets for the coaching team.

Robert Forrester, chief executive of Vertu, said: “Rugby is a sport that shapes character.

“It teaches young people how to work together, how to handle setbacks and how to push themselves beyond their limits.

“Those lessons stay with you for life.

“By supporting Dame Allan’s Schools, we’re helping to ensure that these values continue to be passed on to the next generation.

“Sport is a powerful force for good, and we’re proud to play our part in keeping it thriving in our communities.”

The sponsorship deal is part of Vertu’s wider commitment to grassroots sports and youth development, with the company supporting community teams and programmes through its network of 194 dealerships nationwide.

Dame Allan’s Schools, one of Newcastle’s oldest, was founded in 1705 and has a long tradition of rugby.

Its rugby programme emphasises discipline, teamwork, and resilience, with several alumni having gone on to play at county and professional levels.

Vertu’s sponsorship adds to its portfolio of sports partnerships, which already includes the Newcastle Eagles basketball team, title sponsorship of the EFL Vertu Trophy, and Premiership rugby club Exeter Chiefs.

Will Scott, principal of Dame Allan’s Schools, said: “Rugby has been part of Dame Allan’s for generations.

“It’s more than just a game here – it’s a tradition that brings pupils together and builds confidence and camaraderie.

“This sponsorship from Vertu means we can invest even further in our teams and facilities, giving every child the chance to enjoy the sport and develop the qualities that will serve them well throughout life.”

Vertu also has a strong presence in the region, with more than ten dealerships located within a 30-mile radius of Dame Allan’s and its head office based in Team Valley, Gateshead.