PRESS RELEASE

NEW SHIRT AND SPONSOR ANNOUNCED

Northampton Saints are delighted to announce that the parent company of one of our oldest sponsors, Church's, has agreed to sponsor the club for a period of two years. Prada, originally known in Italy as 'Prada Brothers', was founded in 1913 by Mario Prada in Milan. In 1978, Mario's granddaughter Miuccia Prada inherited what was still a leather goods business from her grandfather. Currently Prada is considered one of the most influential clothing designers in the fashion industry. Its subsidiary, Church's is located in Northampton, with an estimated production capacity of 5000 pairs of shoes per week, 70% of which are exported all over the world

Roberto  del Candeggiante, head of the Fondazzionne Prada said, "We are delighted to be able to share in the long term relationship that the Church family has enjoyed with Northampton Saints over many years. We feel that we can all benefit from the wider relationship between our organisations. This is not the first time that Prada has been involved in sport sponsorship, having been involved in the Luis Vuiton Cup, and the Americas Cup between 1996 and 2007 with the "Luna Rossa". Luna Rossa branded accessories and apparel collections, featuring innovative high-tech fabrics tested by the sailing team, are licensed to Prada. From this experience, the new Northampton Saints shirts have been developed.

The sponsorship agreement has two immediate impacts. Firstly, from the start of next season, The Church's Stand will be re-branded as "The Prada Stand."  Secondly, the Saints' new playing strip for our return to the Premiership has been designed by Prada, and will be unveiled at a ceremony before the Club's Summer Ball. A preview of the shirt can be found below.

Furthermore the club has launched an exciting project to take sport design into primary and secondary schools in the Northampton area that would not have been possible without the support of Prada..

Saints chief executive Allan Robson is delighted that Prada have agreed to take on the Church's sponsorship.

"The Saints and Church's/Prada have been associated with each other for a long time," , we have been neighbours for over 100 years. Over the last seven years we have developed a superb relationship that was recently entrenched even further by the company's decision to outfit the entire playing Squad and the Board with suits and shoes.

"Prada are well known for their generous sponsorship of the arts, and this move into rugby with Northampton Saints represents a significant opportunity to bring their brand values to a wider audience. The club is indebted to Prada for their continued support and I am delighted that we will be taking this relationship forward."

Tuesday, 01 April 2008