Leicester Tigers are now working in partnership with five global partner clubs around the world, with the announcement of a new link with Dutch club RC DIOK.
RC DIOK join Kuala Lumpur Tigers (Malaysia), Dendermonde RFC (Belgium), Delhi Hurricanes (India) and Rugby Colorno (Italy) in helping Tigers to grow the sport around the world.
Tigers welcomed representatives from RC DIOK to Welford Road for the club’s Gallagher Premiership match against Wasps and announced the relationship with a photo on thep itch at half-time in front of a 25,000-strong crowd.
Rugby Club DIOK Leiden were established in 1971 and is the second largest in The Netherlands, claiming 10 national championships in a row from 1989/90 to 1999.
Based in the city of Leiden, home to the country’s oldest university, the club has four senior men’s teams and a women’s team – who picked up their first league title in 2001 - as well as colts, juniors and minis teams as part of an extensive youth set-up. There is also a touch rugby department and wheelchair team alongside supporting a number of projects in the local community. DIOK also host a free summer sports festival for young players between the ages of 6-16 to play rugby and other sports.
Leicester Tigers head of community and global partnerships Scott Clarke said:
“RC DIOK is a club with a long history of performing at the top level in Dutch rugby. They are also an integral part of the community in Lieden, building the club on strong family values and in the spirit of the game.
“We are delighted to welcome them as Tigers’ fifth Global Partner Club and look forward to working with their committee, coaches, sponsors and supporters to develop the game on and off the pitch.”
Cees Ahsmann, chairman at RC DIOK, added: “The partnership between Leicester Tigers and DIOK confirms the constructive meetings we have had and I look forward to a fruitful collaboration.”
Supporters can keep up to date with all of Tigers’ Global Partner Clubs via monthly updates on the club website. Click here to read the latest.
The Tigers’ Global Partnership Plan aims to help shape global grassroots rugby and build the Tigers brand around the world as well as help support and build commercial links within communities.
For anyone interested in finding out more about working with Tigers around the world, please contact Scott Clarke by phoning 0116 217 1283 or email [email protected]
