Aldi Ireland is to continue as Official Fresh Food Partner with the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) for another four years, it was announced this week.
The contract renewal will see the retailer support both the men’s and women’s national teams.
The move will also see Aldi extend its commitment to the Aldi Play Rugby programme, a national initiative for school children, until 2028.
Aldi Play Rugby
The partnership between Aldi and the IRFU has been in place since 2016, providing substantial investment in the Aldi Play Rugby Programme, as well as fuelling the national teams.
The programme aims to encourage schoolchildren to get active, take part in regular exercise, and eat healthy.
Participation in the programme has seen an increase of over 90% since 2016.
In 2023, over 126,000 students from 724 schools across the country took part, in the biggest year so far for the programme.
‘From Strength To Strength’
Colin Breslin, managing director of buying and services at Aldi Ireland said of the extended partnership, “Aldi is proud to team up with the IRFU for a further four years.
“Since 2016, our partnership has gone from strength to strength – across both men’s and women’s teams.
“Aldi Play Rugby, a key pillar of our partnership, has also enjoyed significant growth with hundreds of thousands of school children the length and breadth of Ireland having the opportunity to play rugby and learn healthy habits to last a lifetime.
“We look forward to working alongside the IRFU as their Official Fresh Food Partner and brining the Play Rugby Programme to even more girls and boys over the coming years.”
Michael Collopy, chair of the commercial and marketing committee of the IRFU also expressed his excitement at the continuing partnership.
Collopy said, “Aldi has been a much-valued partner for the last eight years and we are delighted that they are back on board as Official Fresh Food Partner until 2028.
“Aldi enables families across Ireland to eat well for less and we are proud to have them as part of our team.”
