Computacenter and the PRA Convert Technology for the future of professional rugby players

Computacenter, a leading European IT services provider and the Professional Rugby Players’ Association (PRA) are pleased to announce the extension of their highly successful partnership.

Computacenter will continue to support the PRA’s Annual Rugby Players’ Awards as title sponsor, an event that has become an undisputed highlight in the rugby calendar. In addition Computacenter will continue to provide the PRA with IT equipment and its computer skills training programme specially designed for the players, that incorporates courses in Microsoft Office applications. The PRA, which has more than 450 members, is the non-profit making trade union dedicated to the welfare of professional rugby players in England.

Commenting on this agreement Adam Austin, Director of Marketing for Computacenter, said: “We have found the PRA to be an excellent organisation to work with and we are very excited about continuing our partnership. This programme has grown significantly year on year and provides a prominent platform to enhance our profile and fits perfectly with our involvement in top class international rugby union. We are keen to further develop this relationship over the long term by integrating our skills and services with player development both on and off the field.”

PRA Chief Executive Damian Hopley, said: “I am delighted that Computacenter have extended their involvement with the PRA. Through their continued support we will be able to provide enhanced services that will help us to protect the interests of our members both during and after their careers. The invaluable IT training courses received by the players are an excellent example of this support in action. With IT skills forming an integral part of today’s working life, it is essential that professional sportsmen are fully educated in this field.”

Over fifty professional rugby players from premiership clubs including Gloucester, Leeds, Northampton, Wasps and Leicester have already benefited from Computacenter’s IT training. Leicester back row and current England captain, Martin Corry, commented: “It is essential that players are pro-active in preparing themselves for life after rugby. Taking this course was an ideal opportunity to gain skills to make myself more marketable once my playing career is over.”

Computacenter is committed to continue supporting the growing interest and excitement surrounding rugby union. Since 2000 Computacenter has endeavoured to provide the most comprehensive and technologically advanced statistics service in the game for the Six Nations Championship and all autumn home nations’ international matches. For the 2005 RBS 6 Nations, Computacenter, the official data and statistics partner, introduced the most up to date TV graphics technology available and continued to deliver invaluable post match statistics and analysis to participating unions, team coaches and over 1200 members of the press.