Widnes Vikings are delighted to announce that supporter group WISSL (Widnes Independent Supporters Society Limited) will be main kit sponsors of the 2020 Academy and Reserves Kit.
The WISSL logo will be proudly displayed on the front of the Scholarship, Academy and Reserves kits throughout the 2020 season, with Chairman Stephen Oultram presenting the club with a cheque during the latest Members Monday event.
Since the club fell into financial difficulty in February, WISSL members have been raising money to support the Vikings, with the culmination of their fundraising efforts leading to the sponsorship of the Vikings Academy.
This has included manning pop-up shops on matchdays, holding events at local pubs, climbing Snowdon and fundraising during the Summer Bash weekend, with the funds raised helping the club massively throughout the year.
With a number of Academy graduates becoming First Team regulars at the Vikings, the development of the club’s future stars is crucial, and this investment from WISSL will go a long way to supporting that.
Ryan O’Brien, Head of Youth Performance, commented: “On behalf of the club I’d like to thank WISSL for their sponsorship of the Academy for the 2020 season.
“The funds that WISSL have raised and presented to the club will go a long way to helping the development of players from Scholarship right through to First Team.
“The Academy is of huge importance to the club, producing a number of First Team regulars over the years, and the support of WISSL will help this continue.
“Thanks again to everyone involved with WISSL and all of the fans who supported their fundraisers throughout the year, making this sponsorship possible.”
Stephen Oultram, Chairman of WISSL, added: “We have seen over a number of seasons how the Academy has produced successful players who have made the pathway to the First Team Squad. Many of these are now household names within Super League.
“WISSL are passionate in ensuring that this pathway remains open and our hope in providing financial support is that we ensure the academy remains, this was voted for unanimously by our members.
“We wish all of the Academy Players the best for the upcoming season and we cannot wait to see them wearing the shirt.”
