Community Rugby Ground Unveils Major New Sponsor

Felixstowe Rugby Club has announced a major new sponsor, as it reveals the new name of its training ground, 69 years after it was formally opened by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.

The club, which marked its 90th anniversary in 2020, held a ground naming ceremony on Sunday 29 May, announcing the new name of its ground as the 3PL Rugby Ground.

Based on Mill Lane in Felixstowe, the ground was opened by Prince Philip in 1953 and is the heart of the town’s rugby club, which boasts teams from Under 7 to senior level, a growing female team and a thriving social community.

3PL Transport has supported the club for a decade and has now increased its backing, becoming platinum sponsors from 2022-2025. The firm, which specialises in container haulage for shipping lines, freight forwarders, importers and exporters, is marking its 10th anniversary this year as it continues its sustained growth. 

At the naming ceremony, which was formally opened by Mayor of Felixstowe Sharon Harkin, 3PL Managing Director Kevin Lawrenson joined Felixstowe Rugby Club representatives and players from junior and senior teams to mark the milestone news.

Mayor Sharon Harkin shared the story of her own rugby background and reflected on the importance of rugby within the community.

The ceremony comes as the club continues its plans for expansion at the site, with major funding secured for new floodlights and further fundraising underway to redevelop the clubhouse.

Managing Director of 3PL, Kevin Lawrenson, said: “As a long term sponsor of Felixstowe Rugby Club, we have seen the club go from strength to strength both on and off the field over the past few years.
As a local company we have been delighted with the exposure we have achieved, not only in the local press but also in the community itself. We feel that associating our company with Felixstowe RUFC has been mutually beneficial and we will continue to support the Felixstowe Badgers for the foreseeable future. I have developed personal close links and relationships with the club for more than three decades. It’s so important for young people to be inspired and encouraged into sport and the enthusiasm and commitment of the club’s chairman, directors, coaches and volunteers has been instrumental in developing an amazing youth policy as well as the women’s and men’s teams. We are now looking forward to assisting in the club’s expansion and support for many years to come.”

Chairman of Felixstowe Rugby Club, Rob Brewster, said: “This was a really important day in the history of our club. Our ground is the home of our rugby family, which has steadily grown over the years to become the much-loved centre of our town’s rugby community. 3PL have been incredible supporters of our club for 10 years, and their commitment to further support is a wonderful reflection of the belief they have in what we do. It was a pleasure and a privilege to formally re-name our ground as the 3PL Rugby Ground, 69 years after it was opened by HRH Prince Philip. To do this in The Queen’s Jubilee year is even more special. On behalf of everyone at Felixstowe Rugby Club, I would like to thank Kevin and the entire team at 3PL for helping us grow our club, our impact, and the love of our sport.”

Information on 3PL can be found at www.3pl.co.uk

Information on Felixstowe Rugby Club can be found at www.felixstowerufc.co.uk