St Ives RFC seals three-year kit deal with Cornish Riviera Holidays

A logo on the shorts is one thing. Three years on the shirts is another step up entirely, and that is the deal St Ives Rugby Football Club has just signed with a business that has already been backing the Hakes for years.

A fourth year, and a bigger role

Cornish Riviera Holidays has renewed its kit partnership with St Ives Rugby Football Club for a fourth consecutive year, continuing the company’s logo placement on the Hakes’ shorts, while adding the team’s shirts to its arrangement for the first time. The move takes the business to headline sponsorship for the next three years.

The Club says it is delighted to expand its relationship with Cornish Riviera Holidays ready for the start of the 2026/27 season, with the business proud to continue backing a club at the heart of the St Ives community.

Voices from the deal

Jimmy Stevens, Director of Rugby for St Ives RFC, said:

u201cWe are extremely grateful to Cornish Riviera Holidays for not only continuing their sponsorship, but expanding it, and agreeing to support us for the next three years. We have been proud to display their logo on our Hakes’ shorts for the past three years and are over the moon expand this to our shirts for this season and beyond.u201d

Ian Sanders, Chair of St Ives RFC, said:

u201cSpecialising in luxury apartments and handpicked St Ives cottages, Cornish Riviera Holidays is a trusted family-run agency offering exceptional local knowledge, personal service and unforgettable Cornish holidays. Our Club is pleased to be associated with a business that does so much to support the local community in St Ives.u201d

Andy Dale, Co-Director of Cornish Riviera Holidays, said:

u201cWe are pleased to have the opportunity to expand upon the strong foundations that we have built with St Ives RFC. It’s a club at the heart of the local community and we are proud to support it. We are looking forward to attending matches, along with our guests and owners, to cheer on the team.u201d

Matt Nellyer, Co-Director of Cornish Riviera Holidays, added:

u201cWith the development of the new clubhouse progressing well at Alexandra Road, it’s a key time for St Ives RFC and we are pleased to be able to support the future of the Club. It’s going to be an exciting season and we wish the Hakes the best of luck. Cornish Riviera Holidays is enormously proud to support them.u201d

Ian added:

u201cWe are delighted that Cornish Riviera Holidays will be our main Hakes playing kit sponsor for the coming three years, whilst we are also extremely grateful to Ayr Holiday Park who will continue to be a supporting Hakes shirt sponsor, alongside generously supporting other elements of our kit and club.u201d

A club on a roll

The timing suits a club with plenty to shout about. St Ives RFC’s 1st and 2nd teams both made their respective Cornwall County Cup Finals last season, with the 1st team crowned champions, while the club’s youth section celebrated its 50th anniversary last season and has grown membership to unprecedented levels.

The Club continues to grow women’s and girls’ rugby, encouraging more ladies and girls to try the game and join up, and runs an outreach programme in local schools for both girls and boys, with embedded coaching professionals delivering the rugby curriculum in partnership with school staff.

Nearly 140 years in the making

With almost 140 years of rugby history, the Club plays an important role in St Ives’ community, developing players to reach their potential, with youth coming up through the ranks, families enjoying the social connections, and the clubhouse hosting many celebrations.

Developments are progressing well to modernise facilities, including a new clubhouse and changing rooms and a change of site for the second pitch, to support players and provide improved facilities for all. That has already brought an increase in visitors, along with new sponsorship opportunities coming online.

The developments have also enabled practical advantages, such as a large number of parking spaces, resulting in significant footfall to the grounds and putting the Club firmly on the map for locals and visitors alike. The Club is in turn able to offer a range of sponsorship packages for businesses with brand exposure and marketing returns.

For further information about St Ives Rugby Football Club, visit its website.