Aldi UK continues long-term partnership with Saints Sport and the University of St Andrews
Aldi UK has renewed its sports sponsorship deal with Saints Sport for academic year 2021-2022 remaining as lead sponsor of the University of St Andrews Rugby Club and becoming title sponsor of the Saints Leaders programme.
The 12-month contract will see the supermarket chain grow its engagement with Saints Sport in a bid to facilitate access for Aldi UK to the most able and capable candidates from the UK’s number one ranked University (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022) for placement and graduate opportunities.
The sponsorship deal will provide opportunities for Aldi UK to support the career progression of St Andrews students and help them onto their chosen career pathway by providing opportunities to deliver themed workshops and participate in the University’s work shadowing programme.
Aldi UK has been the lead sponsor for the University of St Andrews Rugby Programme since 2014, enhancing their support in 2021 to include title sponsorship of our Saints Leaders Programme, now titled the Aldi Leaders Programme.
Rugby is one of the University’s leading sports clubs and one of a small number of targeted performance programmes at St Andrews. Many of the club’s 200 members commit fully to the performance programme, which helps foster key attributes that employers like to see in their graduates, such as self-determination, drive, leadership, organisation, and vital social skills.
As part of the truly unique student experience, players have access to a professionally run rugby programme, offering the very best support and a comprehensive programme of training and competition, coupled with a world-leading academic education.
The programme is led by Director of Rugby Scott Lawson, a vastly experienced former Scotland international with 47 caps who spent over a decade playing Premiership rugby.
Players within the rugby programme have access to world-class facilities at St Andrews which continue to attract professional clubs and international squads for training camps, including regular visitors Edinburgh Rugby and the Scotland National squad.
Scott Lawson, Director of Rugby, Saints Sport said:
“The Rugby Club are extremely thankful for, and appreciative of, the support from Aldi UK over the last 7 years. The long-term association with a global brand like Aldi speaks wonders for the attitude and quality of the students we have here in St Andrews.
“Ambition, determination, and leadership are key strands of the Aldi Graduate Area Manager Training Programme, and this resonates with the type of rugby player we are seeking to attract to our rugby programme here in St Andrews.”
The Aldi Leaders Programme is a comprehensive and tailored programme of support, training, and mentoring at the University of St Andrews. It currently supports a team of around 600 student volunteers who are committed to delivering student sport activity within their clubs for more than 5,700 students throughout the academic year.
The programme provides opportunities for student volunteers to develop leadership and other transferable skills that will serve them well post-graduation, enhancing their career prospects and helping them add value for employers.
Dr Fergus Knight, Assistant Director (Commercial Operations), Saints Sport added:
“We greatly value the relationship we have established with Aldi UK since 2014. We are committed to strengthening the partnership as we look at the best ways in which we can work together to provide opportunities for our students whilst increasing Aldi’s visibility on campus.
“The University’s reputation across the globe as a world leader in education makes St Andrews graduates highly valued and this is highlighted by our association with one of the UK’s top graduate employers.”
Voted the fifth best graduate employer in the UK by The Times Top 100, the 12-month Aldi Graduate Area Manager Training Programme has gained a reputation for offering an enormous amount of responsibility and comes with progression opportunities and a comprehensive benefits package. Over 12 months, graduates get everything they need to take control of a multi-million-pound area of up to four stores with their decisions making a real difference.
Richard Holloway, Managing Director, ALDI added:
“We are pleased to continue our sponsorship with St Andrews Rugby for our eighth year, and our partnership has extended further this year to create The Aldi Leaders Programme. It is an exciting opportunity for the business to support students to develop their leadership and employability skills for their future careers”
Saints Sport would like to thank Aldi UK for its ongoing support of our Rugby Programme, and the more recent support of our Leaders Programme and look forward to strengthening the partnership in future years.