Instonians RFC to benefit from £36,000 sponsorship as it re-enters All Ireland League

Finlay Wealth Management has pledged the funding over a three-year period.

Belfast-based Finlay Wealth Management has committed to a three-year sponsorship deal of Shaws Bridge-based Instonians RFC worth £36,000.

The funds will contribute towards many different areas of the club’s growth and development including –

• The increased costs of competing in the All-Ireland League
• The club’s drive to become more diverse, including its outreach work with schools all over the city and support the development of the first-ever female team at Instonians RFC
• The ever-present costs of managing a growing amateur sports club including everything from pitch management and medical expenses to clubhouse upkeep and training equipment.

Finlay Wealth Management is run by Jonathan Finlay, a financial expert with more than 30 years in the industry. The company is at the forefront of the wealth management sector here and is a Senior Partner Practice of St. James’s Place — a leading London-based FTSE100 company. 

The business’ sponsorship of the team comes as Instonians have five wins from five in the All-Ireland League, all with bonus points putting them seven points ahead at the top of the league table.

Jonathan Finlay said: “As an avid supporter of Instonians it is an honour to support them over the next three years with this sponsorship.

“Their impeccable play and preparation last season has seen a well-deserved return to the All-Ireland League for this 2022 / 23 season, while the club management has been successful in making the sport more accessible to everyone in the city.”

“Diversity is a big priority at Instonians RFC and testament to this is the development of its first-ever all-female team. We are delighted that our funding will help support not only the team’s success but allow the organisation as a whole to spread its wings and reach out to areas where rugby does not have a presence.”

The sponsorship is not the first time Finlay Wealth Management has supported the team. It was the headline sponsor of Instonians RFC’s annual Gala Ball earlier this year when All Blacks star Sean Fitzpatrick was the guest speaker.

Owen Lambert, President at Instonians RFC, one of the oldest rugby clubs on the island of Ireland and now in its 103^rd year, said:

“The timing of Finlay Wealth Management’s support comes as we enter the All Ireland League, but also at a time when we seek to increase all our team numbers at every level. Driven by our 5 club values, “For Everyone – Family – Forever – Fellowship – Folklore “, we will use this funding to promote the increasingly diverse teams we have in place and use it to continue our outreach programmes to ensure the sport is inclusive and gives access to players from a non-rugby playing background. We want to thank Jonathan and his team for choosing us.”

Peter Bradley, Chairman of Instonians RFC added: “Instonians RFC is working hard to make rugby and the club itself as successful, diverse and inclusive as possible. The results speak for themselves with an ever-increasing number of our players from non-rugby playing backgrounds experiencing the benefits that rugby can bring — physically, socially and in their personal development. This ongoing work and upkeep of club facilities require a constant stream of funding making Finlay Wealth Management’s three-year support, very much appreciated and invaluable to pursuing our goals.”

Instonians RFC’s outreach work has seen it go from a once closed club fed only by RBAI to having 300 young people from 35 different schools making up its Youth and Minis sections preparing for Senior Rugby.

Clem Boyd, Director of Rugby at the club said: “Instonians RFC is a club for everyone, inclusivity is high up our agenda and we embrace all members irrespective of social background, gender, race and religion. 

“Of course, we want Instonians to increase in numbers of players, to win trophies and leagues and achieve further promotion, but at our core and what we really want is for our young people to benefit from appreciating the customs and discipline within the sports we love. This work is not possible without financial support and we are delighted to have Finlay Wealth Management onboard as our sponsorship partner. We look forward to using this sponsorship deal to further grow our team and reap the rewards of doing so.”