Chiefs celebrate 20-year link with SW Comms

Exeter Chiefs is celebrating 20 years of support from the same sponsor by sporting a new logo on the first team’s playing shirt and training kit.

Especially designed by JJC Design, the new logo marks South West Communications Group’s long-term sponsorship deal with the Aviva Premiership club.

The Exeter-based single business communications solution provider first paid for the Exeter Rugby Club’s first team shirts for the 1993/94 season when they were known as South West Telecoms. Since then, South West Communications Group’s involvement with the club has grown year on year supporting the club’s rebranding to become the Exeter Chiefs, their move to Sandy Park, promotion to the Premiership, qualification for the Heineken Cup, and most recently, its LV= Cup victory and current stadium redevelopment.

After 20 years, this deal exceeds any other main sponsor’s deal for a professional rugby club. The current Premiership champions Northampton Saints have been supported by their main sponsor for 13 years, while Leicester Tigers shirt sponsor has been with them since 2008.

Deputy chief executive Keiron Northcott said: “South West Communications Group deserves this recognition for the considerable contribution it has made to Exeter Chiefs’ success, not least in sharing their chief executive Tony Rowe and his driving force with us.

“The logo is designed to mark and rightfully highlight the dedication South West Communications Group has shown the club. Every rugby club would be delighted to harness financial support from a local sponsor for two decades, so we never take for granted the years they have already given us and are thankful for their continued backing.”

The new logo features a rugby ball goal posts and the South West Communications Group logo featuring the strapline: ‘Supporting the Chiefs for over 20 years’.

South West Communications Group’s managing director Harry Langley said: “We are very pleased we have been honoured in this way. We are local company that loves its rugby and we are extremely proud that ‘sw comms’ is emblazoned on the players’ shirts and the supporters’ replica versions. We are looking forward to seeing what the next 20 years can bring.”

South West Communications Group marked the start of their 20th year last season with a celebratory photo shoot with the club’s England Under-20s Junior World Championship winners.