A brand new name and look was unveiled today for the SONI Ulster Senior League, which will now be known as the SONI Ulster Rugby Premiership.  The league’s new identity was revealed for the first time at the official launch at Kingspan Stadium recently. The SONI Ulster Rugby Premiership encompasses 11 domestic rugby teams from across Northern Ireland including Ballynahinch RFC.  Michael Graham from Ballynahinch RFC, attended the launch and is pictured with (L-R) Robin McCormick, General Manager of SONI and John McKibbin, President of IRFU Ulster Branch.

A brand new name and look was unveiled today for the SONI Ulster Senior League, which will now be known as the SONI Ulster Rugby Premiership.  The league’s new identity was revealed for the first time at the official launch at Kingspan Stadium recently.

The SONI Ulster Rugby Premiership encompasses 11 domestic rugby teams from across the province, and representatives from the clubs were in attendance at the launch alongside SONI (System Operator for Northern Ireland) General Manager Robin McCormick and Ulster Rugby’s President John McKibbin to witness the unveiling of the new look league.

SONI (System Operator for Northern Ireland) announced its title sponsorship of the league last year and is currently in the second year of its two year sponsorship deal. Speaking about the sponsorship Robin McCormick, General Manager of SONI commented:  “Following a successful first year of our partnership we’re thrilled to be revealing a fresh and professional new look for the league.  Grassroots rugby is an integral part of many communities across Ulster and we’re very proud to sponsor and invigorate something which benefits young people and the community so positively. 

“Last year we demonstrated our commitment through rewarding four local community champions with bursaries for their club and we’re delighted to be rolling out this programme once again this year.  We’re passionate about positively impacting communities across Northern Ireland and we will be announcing additional plans to support the rugby community as part of our sponsorship very soon.”

Chris Webster, Domestic Rugby Manager at Ulster Rugby said: “The league’s new look and name adds a modern, fresh and professional feel to our leading domestic rugby platform.  Awareness of the SONI Ulster Rugby Premiership has risen since SONI came on board as sponsors  and we’re thrilled to see SONI’s continued commitment with its exciting plans to bring the sponsorship to life once again this year.”

SONI operates the high voltage electricity grid, ensuring that homes and businesses across Northern Ireland have a safe, secure, economic and reliable supply of electricity.  Part of SONI’s work is planning ahead for Northern Ireland’s future growth and developing the electricity grid to meet future demand, projects like the proposed North South Interconnector are the key to ensuring Northern Ireland has the electricity it needs for economic expansion.  The interconnector would also mean savings to customers of around £14m per year, by 2020, up to an estimated £45m per year by 2030.  

For more information visit www.soni.ltd.uk and www.ulsterrugby.com or connect with SONI on twitter @soni_ltd