French financial services group Société Générale has entered into a partnership with the Rugby Africa continental governing body.
The two-year deal will support the development of rugby across Africa, with a particular emphasis to be placed on competitions for women and young athletes.
The partnership will focus specifically on World Rugby’s Get into Rugby initiative, which aims to encourage the world to take up the sport. It will also focus on the two official competitions for women’s rugby, the Africa Women’s Sevens and the U20 Barthès Trophy.
Rugby Africa president Abdelaziz Bougja said: “This partnership uniting us with Société Générale will instil more vigour in the development of African rugby, especially with young people and women. Currently, around half a million children and teenagers are introduced to rugby every year in Africa. And the number of registered female players has more than tripled in recent years in Africa.
“This partnership is a decisive step forward for Rugby Africa as it brings the necessary investment to support this rapid growth. We thank Société Générale for the confidence they have placed in Rugby Africa and its federations.”
Société Générale already has a significant rugby presence in its home market of France, partnering more than 450 amateur clubs, as well as the Top 14, Pro D2, French Rugby Federation and the French national team. It is also a Major Partner and the Official Bank of the Rugby World Cup.