Leicester founded Mark Group is to be Leicester Tigers new Community Programme sponsor for the 2009/2010 season.

The UK's leading installer of energy efficiency measures will join forces with England's current Guinness Premiership champions by taking up the role of the club's official Community Programme sponsor. Within the Leicester Tigers community remit and as official sponsor, Mark Group will help develop new links with colleges and elite sporting organisations to ensure Tigers lead the way in inspiring and challenging young and old to take part and enjoy rugby union as well as a strong and healthy lifestyle.

Mark Group will become involved in the Healthy Schools programme, which will see the Tigers Health and Education Officer working with 20 inner city Leicester schools to educate thousands of young people about the importance and benefits of leading a fit and healthy life.

Other elements of the Community Programme role will include the Tigers Mark Group Rugby Courses which greeted more than 1,500 young players during the summer, and continue throughout the year with 28 weeks of coaching planned during the season.

http://www.markgroup.co.uk/

The club's matchday Coaching Clinics allow groups from schools and rugby clubs all over the country to enjoy coaching at the training ground, followed by a tour behind the scenes and the opportunity to meet a first-team player, before going down to Welford Road to watch the action in league or cup.

Bill Rumble, Mark Group Commercial Director, said:

"We are delighted to take up the role of official sponsor of Leicester Tigers Community programme.

Playing an integral role in helping to facilitate and further strengthen links between the Leicester Tigers and the wider community is something we are very much looking forward to being part of."

"Joining forces with such a prestigious and successful local and international sporting brand is a very proud alliance for us to forge and we anticipate an exciting year ahead."

The Tigers connection does however not stop with the Community Development Programme, as Ex-England and Leicester rugby star Martin Corry helped to launch the new sponsorship in his new role as Mark Group's new Partnership Director, a role in which he will help and advise blue chip companies in reducing their carbon emissions.

Leicester Tigers chief executive Peter Wheeler, welcoming Mark Group as new Community Programme sponsors, said:

"Rugby is a sport for everyone to enjoy and at Leicester Tigers we take our role in the community very seriously. With their support of the Tigers Community Programme, the Mark Group will be assisting our community team to reach out to rugby clubs, supporters and children, to promote a healthy and active lifestyle through sport."

"The club's various community activities engage and enthuse thousands of children and young people."

"Mark Group is a successful and progressive company, and we are delighted that they have chosen to show their support for the community in this way"

Since being founded in 1974, the Mark Group has rapidly expanded to become the UK's largest insulation and renewables installer, employing 500 people in Leicestershire alone and has 14 distribution centres across the UK. It is investing millions in building more.

The Mark Group are the UK's largest provider of 'whole house' solutions to energy efficiency offering a full range of energy efficiency technologies including Solar Electricity, Solar Hot Water, Cavity Wall Insulation, Loft Insulation, Timber Frame Insulation, External Wall Insulation, Heat Pumps and Wind Turbines.