OnPath kicks off rugby partnership

A renewable energy developer is tackling matchday waste after teaming up with one of the country’s most prestigious university rugby clubs in a new three-year partnership.

Sunderland-headquartered OnPath Energy has agreed a sponsorship deal with Cambridge University Rugby Union Football Club (CURUFC), supporting the introduction of reusable matchday drinking cups at the club’s Grange Road ground.

The initiative will replace disposable plastic cups, helping reduce waste and encourage more sustainable practices among players and supporters.

The partnership follows OnPath’s recent expansion into Cambridge, where it has opened an office at St John’s Innovation Centre as part of plans to develop more renewable energy projects across southern England.

The company has built 14 onshore wind farms across the UK and is aiming to invest around £1 billion in clean energy projects over the next five years.

It is also exploring potential onshore wind farm locations across the south of England, with several new development proposals expected to come forward over the next year.

Will Smeeton, partnerships and community manager at OnPath Energy, said: “This is a long-term partnership that will help us enhance our profile within the Cambridge sporting and business communities while also delivering practical benefits that support the long-term ambitions of what is one of the world’s most prestigious university rugby clubs both on and off the pitch.

“Sustainability and environmental impact are key considerations not just for businesses like OnPath, but for organisations of every type, with sports clubs, their players and their supporters regularly taking the lead on driving this agenda forward.”

The agreement sees OnPath join a network of businesses supporting CURUFC, helping the club maintain its facilities and provide opportunities for university players and local community sports teams.

Matt Cole-Wilkin, head of operations at CURUFC, added: “The support we have from our partners like OnPath Energy is vital in allowing us provide our players with as close to a professional rugby experience as we possibly can, while it also factors into maintaining the quality of the facilities we make available to both other University teams and local community sports clubs.

“The rugby club and the wider University both have a strong focus on environmental issues, and without OnPath’s support, we simply wouldn’t have be able to afford to invest in the reusable cups that will bear their brand this season.”

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