Wru Announce “konica Minolta Cup” Sponsorship

In the long and illustrious 32 year history of the tournament, the WRU cup has been sponsored by a number of blue chip companies and news that Konica Minolta has taken this latest opportunity to invest in Welsh rugby comes as a welcome boost.

With the advent of regional rugby in Wales the ‘Konica Minolta Cup,’ as it will be known for the next four years, has become more competitive than ever.

The five regional sides do not take part, but that means the monopoly the top clubs have held is sure to be challenged.

Holders Llanelli are the undisputed cup kings with 12 wins together with five losing appearances in the final, but this season will see the likes of Welsh premiership leaders, club sides from Newport and Neath, rise to the forefront challenged by sides like Aberavon, Carmarthen and Maesteg.

Division One leaders Maesteg, who have plenty of cup experience in their side with former British Lions and Wales stars John Devereux and Allan Bateman leading the way, are an outside bet to upset the natural order of things this year. Teams like Aberavon and Carmarthen have proved they are a force to be reckoned with, currently riding high in the Welsh premiership and one famous face, former Wales scrum half David Bishop, is still turning out as player/coach of Old Illtydians 20 years after lifting the trophy with Pontypool.

‘The competition this year will be as exciting as ever culminating in a semi-final double header played at the Cup Final venue, our own Millennium Stadium,’ said WRU commercial manager Gwyn Thomas.

‘Konica Minolta have seen the value in the tournament and made an extremely welcome investment in Welsh Rugby, which shows the level to which our stock is rising.

‘The fact that our regional sides won’t be involved in the competition has given it a different kind of strength, in that the playing field is very much a level one now. The current international players aren’t there but that means sides have a lot more to prove, a lot more to play for and a greater chance of glory.’

Alan Devonald, Managing Director of Konica Minolta Wales, sees this new investment in Welsh rugby as an exciting addition to his company’s sponsorship portfolio.

‘We have always been enthusiastic supporters of Welsh sport,’ said Mr Devonald.

‘We have in time been major sponsors of Glamorgan Cricket, Welsh athletics, the FAW, and the Welsh Golfing Union.

‘Our close association with Welsh rugby and the WRU also goes back many years. The recent launch of the Konica Minolta brand in Wales is an exciting and appropriate time for us to be expanding our sponsorship of the WRU and the ‘Konica Minolta Cup’ in particular.’