Columbia, SC based brewery, Columbia Craft Brewing Co, have announced their official sponsorship with the locally based USA Wheelchair Rugby League National Team bound for the Rugby League World Cup in England, UK - November 2022. The sponsorship comes after opening the doors back in 2017 of its state-of-the-art brewery and the production of its beers in the state of South Carolina. The family-owned brewery holds a strong portfolio of unique ales, lagers, sours, and barrel aged beers. Led by head brewer, Shaun Piggott, Columbia Craft has received a number of numerous national and regional medals over the last 5 years.
Andrew Strauss, COO from Columbia Craft, said, "We're thrilled to be involved with Wheelchair Rugby League here in Columbia, SC and sponsoring the USA Wheelchair National Rugby League Team bound for the RLWC2021. Columbia is primarily a College Football city, but it's great to see Columbia Craft now backing a new sport and promoting our award-winning beers here in the states and to the Rugby League World. It's clear USA Wheelchair Rugby League and Columbia Craft have plenty of synergies. We both play a huge part in the community, packed with plenty of history and heritage but driving and striving to move forward. We are committed to supporting local business and are excited to see where this partnership will take us."
The game of Wheelchair Rugby League (WhRL) was brought to the Carolinas by the founders of Carolina League Academy, which is currently the parent organization for the USA National Team. Since 2019 there have been many firsts for the sport. The first Wheelchair Rugby League matches were played at Seven Oaks Park in Irmo, SC. The first National Training Camp was hosted here in January 2020. The first National Team selection took place on July 4th, 2021. Finally, the first Domestic Competition took place just this year in Conway, SC., with four teams from the Carolinas. Columbia, SC and the Carolinas have been the epicenter for the sport and will grow to the rest of the US in time.
Juan Jasso, General Manager, said, "USA Wheelchair Rugby League are excited to have secured a partnership with 'Columbia Craft', a local company who, like the National Team, have very strong community links, coupled with providing Americans with an exciting new inclusive and adaptive sport. To echo Mr Strauss' comments, both organizations have played a very strong part in the local area. We look forward to developing our commitment with Columbia Craft over the coming years."
Come and meet the USA Wheelchair Rugby League Team at the Columbia Craft Brewery on Saturday, September 10th, 2022.
