Budweiser to sponsor Belfast Trojans

The Belfast Trojans American Football team has kicked off the New Year with Budweiser coming on board as the new team sponsor and a move to a new home at one of Northern Ireland’s premier sports grounds.

The team will make the move from its base at Shorts Sports & Recreation Club where it has been for the last two seasons, to Belfast Harlequins Sports Arena in time for the start of the 2014 American football season at the end of March.

Looking forward to the move and a great start to the season, Barry Kiel, Chairman of Belfast Trojans, said; “We’ve had a series of temporary homes since the team was established seven years ago, and we have been very grateful to our hosts, but we are now eager to settle down permanently.  We’re delighted to be heading for Harlequins which offers us the stability of a large, well run support organisation as well as extensive facilities. 

“The new location and the association with the iconic American brand, Budweiser, give us the opportunity to help fans really connect with the sociability of the game. We’ll be able to offer food and drink facilities in a great club house overlooking a fabulously maintained pitch – great when the weather is bad! The availability of floodlighting also means that we can play in the evenings and encourage people to see an American Football Game as a great night out as well as a serious sporting challenge.”

After two back-to-back seasons undefeated, the Belfast Trojans are clearly taking the game very seriously indeed.  The team are reigning Shamrock Bowl champions of the Irish American Football League and, last year, they also went on to win the Atlantic Cup in the European Federation of American Football’s Western European Championships. With new home and new support behind them, they are facing the 2014 season with confidence and determination.

Sarah Shimmons, Beer Marketing Manger for Tennent’s NI, is also looking forward to a move which she believes will ultimately support the growth in popularity of American Football in Northern Ireland. She says, “Budweiser, with its American roots, is delighted to back the Belfast Trojans who, like the brand, really are at the top of their game.  We are also really enthused at the team’s aspirations to open up the sport to wider audiences.” 

The announcement from the club was timed to tie in with the mega NFL Super Bowl event (Sunday 2 February).  To celebrate the new associations and mark Super Bowl Sunday, Belfast Trojans organised a mega celebration at Madison’s Hotel in Belfast.  American football fans met the team and watched the game in real time as the Seattle Seahawks beat the Denver Broncos 43-8.  The Super Bowl Party is already a Trojans tradition and is fast becoming the biggest Super Bowl celebration in Ireland.

sponsorship sports

Rebecca Kincade

Rebecca Kincade is a copywriter and journalist with over six years’ experience of contributing to well-known business, trade and consumer publications.