Loan provider BCRS Business Loans has thrown its weight behind north Wales’ Rygbi Gogledd Cymru (RGC) as the club seeks to further harness and grow rugby talent within the region.

BCRS Business Loans, which is working to support the growth of SMEs across the region, has proudly become a sponsor of the club and its distinctive logo is now proudly displayed on the warm up tops of the 40-strong squad.

The kit was unveiled on Saturday (19 October) as RGC took on Carmarthen Quins at Colwyn Bay’s Stadiwm CSM.

Alun Pritchard, General Manager for the North Wales Development Region and RGC, said:

“We are thrilled to have the support of BCRS Business Loans. As an organisation that seeks to develop and expand the game of rugby across north Wales, it’s important that our partners also share our priorities in supporting communities across the region.

 “The values and ethos of BCRS align with our own and we are excited about developing our partnership throughout the season, and beyond.”

RGC is the regional representative team for the North Wales Rugby Development Region.  It runs an established emerging player pathway, which has successfully developed the likes of Sam Wainwright and Sean Lonsdale and looks to develop many more players for the national team, and professional game, in the years to come.

James Pittendreigh, Business Development Manager at BCRS Business Loans, added:

“We share similar values and aspirations to RGC, which is looking to develop and expand both the game and aspiring players across the region.

 “BCRS Business Loans is committed to north Wales and working in partnership with RGC we’re confident that together we can benefit businesses, and individuals, to help make North Wales a very successful region.”

In Wales BCRS Business Loans is the fund manager for the Smaller Loans Fund (£25,000 to £100,000) of the Investment Fund for Wales, which was launched by the British Business Bank in late 2023. The Investment Fund for Wales operates across the whole of Wales and includes a range of finance options with loans from £25,000 to £2 million and equity investments up to £5 million to help small and medium-sized businesses start up, scale up or stay ahead.

Having worked with SMEs unable to access finance from traditional sources in the West Midlands since 2002, BCRS Business Loans has expanded into Wales to help smaller businesses there prosper and thrive under the fund, which was officially launched in Cardiff in November.

Since BCRS was founded as a community development financial institution in 2002, it has provided loans worth more than £90 million to businesses across the West Midlands and Wales. A social impact report for the last financial year showed BCRS lent £5.8m to 72 businesses, safeguarding 675 jobs and creating 186 roles, adding £29.9m in value to the economy of the West Midlands, surrounding regions and Wales.