LISBURN-based McQuillan Companies has this week announced a new contract with Queen's University Belfast as part of its ongoing commitment to developing excellence in industry through education and sport.
McQuillan’s will now become the principal sponsor in rugby for the men’s performance team, the women’s development team and the under-20s team in a new three-year sponsorship deal.
The firm is a leading provider in construction and waste management services and in 2023 had agreed their first sponsorship deal with Ulster University's Gaelic Games Academy and are now expanding their community outreach to support Queen's in their rugby endeavours.
Queen's University have announced a Three-year sponsorship deal
The support from McQuillan Companies will further enable the university rugby teams, male and female, to benefit from high quality training and mentoring, whilst enabling students to access time away from studies to invest in their wellbeing.
Queen’s University rugby is well known and respected for its rich history of success and the many accomplished athletes the college has supported and nourished over the years. The partnership affirms the company commitment to supporting sport as a platform for student-athletes to excel both on and off the field.
Commenting on the new three-year partnership Niall McQuillan, Director at McQuillan Companies, said; "We are thrilled to become principal sponsor of rugby at Queen's, and to continue our work with the university to support their talented student-athletes in their pursuit of excellence both on and off the pitch.
"The importance of sport within education is widely acknowledged, and as a large family business we see this continued investment in Queens' as a reflection of our values and professional beliefs.
"This again marks another commitment to learning excellence, helping nurture and support the next generation of professionals. As a local employer, McQuillan’s is totally committed to doing everything we can in this space with students, academics and learning institutions."
Niall believes the deal will have a great impact on the company's community engagement and is excited to help develop youth sport across the North.
"Sponsoring rugby for women and men until 2028 will bring an even greater richness to our commitment to fostering growth, leadership, and community engagement in our work. We are excited to watch the students grow and strengthen both on and off the pitch, through learning and development.
"As a company ambitious for innovation and sustainability, we look to the local universities here for excellence, for future leaders, innovators and experts, so we see this as a perfect investment in the future of our economy, community and the university, with everybody coming out a winner."
Karl Oakes, Head of Sport and Physical Wellbeing at Queen’s University Belfast, welcomed the partnership with the local firm and believes it shows shared values between both Queen's and McQuillan's.
"We are delighted to welcome McQuillan Companies as principal sponsor of rugby at Queen’s," he said. "This partnership represents a shared commitment to excellence, wellbeing, and opportunity for our student-athletes.
"Rugby at Queen’s has a proud tradition, and with McQuillan’s support we can continue to invest in the development of both our men’s and women’s teams, enhancing their experience on and off the pitch. We look forward to working together to inspire leadership, resilience, and community engagement through sport."
Eddie Friel, Director of Alumni Engagement and Philanthropy at Queen's, remarked on the increase of student participation in Sport and expressed his gratitude to their new sponsors.
"Since 2012, overall student participation in sports at Queen’s has increased by 23 per cent and we are incredibly grateful to McQuillan's for providing their support to our talented rugby players," he said.
"We have a long tradition of rugby success, hosting the second oldest rugby club on the island of Ireland and boasting 91 fully capped Irish Internationals and 22 British and Irish Lions amongst our alumni.
"This investment will allow our women's and men's teams to continue to succeed and produce skilled professionals we can be proud of."
As part of the partnership, McQuillan Companies will feature as principal sponsor on all team jerseys across the men’s, women’s and under 20s teams, as well as appearing on pitchside hoarding at the training grounds and the main playing grounds for the Queen's University rugby teams.
