The Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) is proud to announce global insurance broker BMS Group as its new Principal Partner, as well as the inaugural naming rights partner of the National Rugby Training Centre (NRTC) at Ballymore, through 2027.
The BMS logo will be displayed on the façade and within the NRTC, plus front-and-centre on the Queensland Reds Super Rugby Pacific, Buildcorp Super Rugby Women’s and Rugby Sevens playing jersey and training apparel.
In addition, the four-year partnership will see BMS involved with Queensland Rugby for the 2025 British and Irish Lions Tour of Australia, as well as the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup, with Ballymore set to have a major involvement with both events.
While globally recognised for its specialist insurance, reinsurance and capital markets advisory services, BMS also has a strong Queensland presence with over 60 staff in the Sunshine State.
Over the past eighteen months BMS has acquired six new Australian broking companies. One of these companies includes Brisbane-based Bluebook Insurance Brokers,co-led by Peter Apolakiatis and former Reds and Wallabies Captain Stephen Moore who is now BMS’ Queensland Managing Director.
QRU CEO David Hanham said: “This is a historic day as we welcome BMS to the Queensland Rugby family.
“This is a great partnership between two organisations who share aligned values and cultures with a passion for the growth and development of rugby in Queensland.
“BMS is just the fifth principal partner of the Reds and is the inaugural naming rights partner of the NRTC which are significant milestones in both Queensland Rugby and Ballymore’s famed history.
“Officially opened on-time and on-budget in June this year, the BMS NRTC is stage one of Ballymore’s redevelopment as part of the precinct’s master plan to become Queensland’s first home of women’s rectangular sport.
“The BMS logo will also be on the front of the Reds’ iconic maroon jerseys which will be proudly worn by our Queensland men and women’s players during both international and interstate competition for the next four seasons.
“The partnership will also see BMS join the QRU on its journey across a golden decade with the 2025 British and Irish Lions Tour and 2027 Rugby World Cup both on home soil in the next four years ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics with Ballymore set to be utilised in all three major events plus more as a multi-sport hub.
“I’d like to thank BMS Group CEO Nick Cook and Australian CEO Andrew Godden, together with Queensland leads Stephen Moore and Peter Apolakiatis for their commitment to the QRU and genuine passion for the sport and the partnership opportunity.”
Andrew Godden said: “We're proud to partner with the Queensland Rugby Union for the next four years.
"The partnership between BMS and QRU is a great fit as we share a commitment to striving for excellence and both value the importance of building strong personal relationships in local communities through aligned cultures and values.
"Ballymore has been the heart and soul of Queensland Rugby for more than 50 years and to be inaugural naming rights partner of the NRTC which is a world-class multi-sport hub is an honour for the organisation.
"We're also excited to have the BMS branding on the Queensland Reds men's and women's playing jerseys that will also include the British and Irish Lions Tour in 2025 and Rugby World Cup two years later with Ballymore set be involved with both.
"This partnership is a collaboration between two organisations focused on the development of rugby throughout Queensland while also ensuring equal opportunities across all levels of the game from grassroots to the elite," said Godden.
BMS Group is a dynamic, independent, global broker established in 1980, delivering specialist insurance, reinsurance, and capital markets advisory services.
It is a globally recognised brand with offices located across the US, Canada, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Australia with a strong local focus and understanding of market needs.
BMS Group joins an already strong list of QRU partners including Santos, Rio Tinto, Canterbury, Alliance Airlines, TFH, QUT, StoreLocal, Lion and Westpoint Autos Group.
BMS is just the fifth front-of-jersey sponsor in Queensland's 27-year Super Rugby professional era history, with former principal partner Westpac and St.George on board at Ballymore for the past 15 years.
The 2024 Queensland Reds home jersey will be available to purchase in the New Year. Register your interest via https://bit.ly/3uNDKS0.
