Tigers Wheelchair Rugby player Dave Needham joined Matt O’Connor and Ben Youngs at the Premiership Rugby launch as new title sponsors Gallagher celebrate the game’s off-pitch heroes.
Gallagher, the global insurance broker, risk management services and consulting firm, will focus on championing the people that embody the values and spirit of rugby during the 2018/19 season in their Heroes of the Game campaign.
Those Heroes of the Game include Needham, Tigers Wheelchair Rugby secretary and player, who joined other ambassadors from the other 11 Gallagher Premiership clubs at Twickenham for the season launch.
After being diagnosed with motor neurone disease, Needham continued his love for rugby with the Tigers Wheelchair Team. He is now the club secretary and gives up his time to make sure others can enjoy the thrill of wheelchair rugby despite their various life challenges.
Needham, who is taking part in next month’s RunForAll Leicester 10K in aid of the Tigers Foundation, said: “It was a fantastic day. It was the first time I had seen something like the season launch, and it was an education to see what Matt and Ben have to do.
“It was really nice to see Twickenham from the other side. I have been there as a spectator but to go out onto the pitch was fantastic.
“I think it has the potential to be a really good season for Tigers. My hope is that Tigers get back to where they belong,” he added.
Although he was unable to attend on the day, Eric Barker will also represent Tigers as a community ambassador for Gallagher. Eric has volunteered his time with unswerving commitment for 25 years to ensure Tigers’ community rugby focused activities meet the highest standard. He helped create the Prima Tiger Cup, Tigers' annual under-10s festival which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this season.
Simon Matson, incoming chief executive of Gallagher’s UK broking and underwriting operations, said: “As the Premiership’s new title partner we will continue to champion the game’s off-pitch inspirational ambassadors, just as much as we savour each and every competitive clash of its on-pitch heroes.”
Tickets are now on sale to Tigers' opening home game of the new Gallagher Premiership season against Newcastle Falcons at Welford Road on Saturday, September 8.
Book your place now on 0116 319 8888 (option 2) or click below.
