Chippenham Rugby Club has secured itself a season long sponsor from a Bath-based cyber security company.
Computer Network Defence (CND) is packing down with the Allington Field outfit whose first team are flying high in the South West One East league.
The club has three senior sides plus a full junior and mini section and this is its 119th season.
Andy Cuff, MD of CND, is a self-confessed geek who was not a rugby fan until he went to watch a match.
His company’s head of recruitment, Ryan Surry, happens to skipper the first XV and took him along.
Andy said: “I was about to sponsor a box at Bath United for an upcoming match when Ryan pointed out that for the same price I could sponsor Chippenham Rugby for an entire season.
“I’ve never been the greatest fan of rugby myself but used to enjoy watching the occasional game.
“Watching a Chippenham match from the side line is so much more engaging than watching it at a large stadium or on TV, I’m hooked.
“The welcome I received from club members and players – all volunteers – was phenomenal; I immediately felt part of the family.
“As Ryan pointed out when convincing me that our money would be better invested in Chippenham Rugby, it’s not just about the Saturday matches.
“There are hundreds of youngsters who are members of numerous youth teams and their parents work for an extraordinarily eclectic mix of companies. This was the hidden gem within the sponsorship.
“Whilst we set out to support our staff and sponsor a local team who do so much good in the community, we have ended up actually getting a return on the investment and more besides.
“The result is that our corporate guests feel this welcoming warmth which not only helps them really enjoy the day, but they genuinely appreciate being invited.
“Up until now, most of our local guests have left wanting to become members themselves.”
Chairman of Chippenham RFC, Ian Banister, said: “We are delighted that CND have joined the ‘rugby family’ and are enjoying the culture of the rugby community and recognising the contribution the club is making across the wider community.
“It is only with the financial support of our sponsors can we fully deliver on that promise and we look forward to working together with CND in the future.”
Notes to editors:
Computer Network Defence (CND) was set up in Bath by Andy Cuff in 2004 and covers all aspects of information security. It has grown organically and now employs 50 staff. CND specialise in providing consultancy services focusing around the development, implementation and manning of Secure Operation Centres (SOCs) and complex Intrusion Prevention System deployments. It has a high number of skilled consultants and only provides products that are of the highest quality. CND also has a long-standing recruitment part of the business, which provides staff for all areas of the cyber security; in both private and public sectors.
For more information contact Ed Baker at Deep South Media on 01202 534487 or 07788392965