HSBC's commitment to developing the game is greater than ever

At the heart of every rugby sponsorship is a commitment by the bank to work with local communities around the world to help develop and grow the sport. HSBC has invested in rugby coaching programmes, staging festivals, providing coaching and using ambassadors to inspire the next generation of players.

John Kirwan, Coach of Japan and former All Black, said, “I would like to thank HSBC for their continued support of the Asian 5 Nations as more so than ever this year it will be hugely important for our organisation leading into the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, where we are determined to show the world how much Asian rugby has improved.”

Jonah Lomu, arguably one of the greatest rugby legends of all time and a former All Black, was a special guest of HSBC at the Dubai Sevens in 2010 and said, “I saw first-hand the great commitment HSBC is making to develop the game when I was in Dubai with a real focus on encouraging children to play rugby.  It was fantastic to see so many youngsters having fun playing the game and being coached by the HSBC Penguins – something that will hopefully lead to more children watching and playing rugby in the future.”

Bryan Habana, current Rugby World Cup winner with South Africa, has supported HSBC in South Africa with their grassroots programme.  He said, “HSBC were extremely active in helping develop the game in South Africa for the British Lions Tour and have maintained that commitment of investing in community rugby through all of their sponsorships. I was fortunate to be able to assist their programme around the George Sevens in December last year and saw the excitement of the children who were treated to a day at the Sevens, and played a curtain raiser on the pitch in front of 10,000 fans.  It was a special moment for them and a fantastic way for HSBC to inspire children who would not otherwise have such opportunities.”

HSBC and Rugby

Our rugby sponsorships help to build our business and support our vision and values. They generate corporate exposure within key markets through unique touch points and provide opportunities for target customers to experience our brand philosophy and connect with our business through shared passions.

The renewed commitment to rugby in Asia through the HSBC Asian 5 Nations and new HSBC Asian Sevens Series will allow HSBC to continue building long lasting relationships with its key stakeholders and also to allow HSBC to further engage and motivate its employees.

HSBC has a long association with the sport of rugby around the world. Key programmes have included:

· Naming sponsor of the HSBC Waratahs from the state of New South Wales in Australia - one of the leading teams in the southern hemisphere’s Super 15’s competition. HSBC has sponsored the Waratahs since 2001.

· HSBC has also been a sponsor and long term supporter of the Penguin International Rugby Football Club, since 1997. The Penguins have been fostering the development, goodwill and camaraderie of Rugby Union worldwide though coaching and playing since 1959.

· HSBC is the title sponsor of the HSBC Asian 5 Nations competition. Launched in 2008, the tournament in2010 featured 31 matches staged across 28 countries/territories in the region, with the Top 5 competition acting as qualifiers for the 2011 RWC.

· HSBC was the Principal Partner to the British & Irish Lions Tour to South Africa in 2009 – one of the most prestigious teams in world rugby, and last year renewed that investment for the 2013 Tour to Australia, which will include a historic game in Hong Kong.

Last October HSBC was appointed the first ever title sponsor of the IRB Sevens World Series. The announcement represented a further boost for Rugby Sevens as the sport marked the one-year anniversary of being voted onto the Olympic Games programme. The Series is now known as the HSBC Sevens World Series.