German automotive manufacturer BMW has enhanced its relationship with the Australian Rugby Union by becoming the first major commercial partner of its national elite development pathway.
BMW will seek to drive the future growth of Australian rugby by becoming the overall naming rights partner of the Pathway to Gold Program, which includes the Junior Gold Cup, the Australian Schoolboys and the Australian U20s team. The BMW logo will adorn the front of the playing jersey of each team.
Current national team star Bernard Foley (pictured) has also signed on as an ambassador of the BMW Pathways program.
ARU chief executive Bill Pulver said: “This is the first time in our sport that we’ve formed a partnership that encompasses our entire Pathways program and we are privileged to have the support of one of the world’s great international brands behind the young men and women who will one day represent the Wallabies and our Sevens teams.
“BMW’s support of the program will be pivotal to enabling our state unions and Super Rugby teams to identify and develop talent to ensure that our Qantas Wallabies and Qantas Australian Sevens teams continue to be among the world’s best teams.”
BMW is an existing partner of the national team. Terms of its fresh deal were not disclosed.