Specsavers supports Welsh referees

With the rugby season kicking off last weekend, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) announced that Specsavers Opticians was the Official Referees Partner, providing much-needed funding.
The company has agreed to a four-year, six-figure deal described as the largest sponsorship deal ever secured by the WRU on behalf of referees.
WRU director of referees Clive Norling said that the WRU was delighted with SpecsaversÕ involvement.
ÔIt is hoped that the partnership with Specsavers Opticians will encourage a swift return of the more humorous comments aimed at referees, replacing the foul personal abuse that, sadly, is nowadays hurled at match officials.
ÔNot only current but also future referees will benefit in many ways from the large sponsorship investment that Specsavers has made with the WRU,Õ he added.
Welshman Doug Perkins, chairman of Specsavers and a former Llanelli player, helped to launch the campaign.
ÔI hope that this four-year partnership will make a significant difference to the recruitment of referees over the next season.Õ
Specsavers is following up the launch with a programme of activities. This includes the distribution of ÔGet your blinking eyes tested refÕ placards to hold up at matches, to help diffuse the hostility faced by many of todayÕs referees.