A WOMEN'S rugby team is hoping to secure promotion after scoring sponsorship from a Darlington company.
The Sharks women's rugby team, based at Darlington Mowden Park Rugby Football Club, have secured sponsorship from chartered surveyors and property consultants Sanderson Weatherall.
The sponsorship has been welcomed by the team, who play in Premiership 2 and boast four international players - Katy McLean, Georgina Roberts, Tamara Taylor and Jo Watmore - in Team England's elite squad.
The Sharks are now hoping to secure promotion into the Premiership 1.
Neil Trotter, chairman of women's rugby at Mowden Park, said: "Although rugby is one of the fastest growing sports for women, funding is limited and successful teams such as the Sharks constantly strugle to find sponsorship.
"Travel is the greatest expense as the Sharks have fixtures all over the country, their furthest being at Plymouth.
"We are grateful for the support of Sanderson Weatherall as its contribution will make a real difference to the team and will aid their further development and continued success."
Matthew Clarke, at Sanderson Weatherall, said: "Brining some top talent to the pitch with the arrival of the women's rugby squad to Mowden Park RFC adds a new dimension to the club and is an initiative that the region should be proud of."
10th April 2007