Babcock has extended its partnership with Plymouth Argyle for a further three years, expanding its support for the club’s women’s team and taking naming rights to its Foulston Park training facility, according to the company.
Under the renewed agreement, Babcock branding will appear on the back of Plymouth Argyle Women’s shirts, while the company’s existing sponsorship of the Devonport End at Home Park will continue.
The agreement will also see Foulston Park Performance Centre renamed the Babcock High-Performance Centre, giving the defence and engineering group headline sponsorship of the facility used for player development.
Babcock has a longstanding presence in Plymouth through its operations at Devonport, where the company supports the Royal Navy and maintains infrastructure and warships at HM Naval Base Devonport. The relationship with Plymouth Argyle links one of the city’s largest industrial employers with its professional football club.
The expanded partnership places particular emphasis on Plymouth Argyle Women and the club’s academy structure. Babcock said the arrangement is intended to support player development while giving people across the region greater access to high-level sporting facilities and opportunities associated with both organisations.
Paul Berne, Plymouth Argyle chief executive, said in the release: “I’m really pleased to see our partnership with Babcock extended for a further three years.”
He added: “This is a partnership that goes well beyond the football pitch. Babcock has deep roots in Plymouth, and together we have a real opportunity to create a positive impact across our city and the wider South West.”
Berne said the expanded agreement would support the club’s women’s team, provide opportunities for women and girls and contribute to work at the High Performance Centre and within the academy.
He said: “From supporting the continued growth of our women’s team and creating greater opportunities for women and girls, to investing in our High Performance Centre and the development of the next generation of players, this partnership is about creating pathways and opportunities for people in our community.”
The renewed sponsorship follows a Celebration of Women and Girls in Sport event held during the previous season, which Babcock said formed part of its wider work with the club.
John Gane, Managing Director of Babcock’s Devonport facility, said in the release: “Our partnership with Argyle has already delivered real benefits for our people and local communities, and we’re delighted to continue working together.”
Gane said both organisations were seeking to address areas where women have historically been under-represented, linking Babcock’s support for Argyle Women with its own workforce and community activity.
He said: “Babcock and Argyle may operate in different fields, but we share a strong commitment to Plymouth and its people. Both organisations have an important role to play in creating opportunities and challenging perceptions in areas where women have traditionally been under-represented. That’s why we’re particularly proud to support Argyle Women as part of our wider partnership with the club.”
He added: “It’s about creating visibility, inspiring the next generation and showing what is possible, both on and off the pitch.”
