FAIRFORD Rugby Club has announced the signing of a major sponsorship deal with Cotswold Airport.

The three-year sponsorship deal will see Cotswold Airport as main kit sponsor for the senior teams along with pitch side signage and advertising.

Fairford Rugby Club, founded in 1994 by George Ellis, has its grounds at Coln House in the picturesque Cotswolds town.

The club fields men’s (the Badgers) and women’s (The Vixens) senior teams in the Dorset & Wilts North league.

In addition to being an active sporting club, Fairford Rugby Club also hosts a  summer festival weekend that sees an additional three thousand visitors to the club’s playing fields annually.

Michael Wrona, sponsorship secretary  at Fairford Rugby Club said: “We are a small club with a large heart, so support from local businesses such as Cotswold Airport is key to the success and growth of the club and really means the world to us.

"Sponsorships like this help us to continue to build the club and drive us towards our goal of establishing our own clubhouse at the ground.

“We are fortunate to have such a thriving aviation hub nearby that is willing to support the local community.

"As a team we have always had a strong connection with aviation with members from the RAF and nearby Airbus.

"We look forward to reciprocating this sponsorship by making the most of the great facilities at the airport especially the AV8 restaurant for those all-important breakfasts!”

Cotswold Airport, formally RAF Kemble, is situated 15 miles from Fairford and provides a convenient aviation hub in the heart of the Cotswolds.

Suzannah Harvey, CEO Cotswold Airport said: “We are really proud to sponsor both the women’s and men’s senior teams of Fairford Rugby Club over the next three years.

"Grassroots sport is such an important part of our community, we are happy to get behind this.

"I look forward to providing further encouragement from the sideliners and we can’t wait to welcome the club’s members and supporters to the airport, and obviously anyone wanting to fly in for the weekend for a match are also more than welcome!”