Haleys continues sponsorship of Hoppers Rollers

Preston-based Haleys Business Advisers is continuing its sponsorship of Hoppers Rollers, the cycling section of Preston Grasshoppers Rugby Club.

The club supports social cycling through to elite racing and was placed an impressive 33rd out of over 1,000 clubs for its amateur road racing performance in the 2016 season. Two of the shining lights in the club, elite cyclists Ricky Haughton (BC National road race champion) and Steve Abbott (TLI National Masters road race champion) are credited with helping the club to achieve this high ranking.

Haleys is the main shirt sponsor of Preston Grasshoppers RFC and is also one of the main kit sponsors of the Rollers. The Company has pledged to continue this support for a further year. Tim Haley, MD Haleys Business Advisers, says: ‘We are so impressed with the work that the club does with young elite amateur cyclists and we hope that our involvement will help propel some of the youngsters into the big time.’

The elite team is called Team Hoppers Rollers Racing (THR Racing) and they compete in regional and national level races. THR Racing achieved 124 Regional Points and 832 National Points to achieve the 33rd ranking position, and both Steve Abbot and Ricky Haughton achieved the British Cycling Elite Licence as well as a considerable number of podiums throughout the season.

For the 2017 season all eyes will be on local young rider, James Noonan, who is showing huge potential. He started riding at the club’s social events and quickly progressed to entering and winning junior races. Club treasurer, Simon Mulholland says, ‘Having sponsors like Haleys Business Advisers enables us to support young riders like James. He has already attended two British cycling talent academy days and everyone at the club is behind him to go all the way and become a pro cyclist one day.’ On the social side of things the club runs pre-match cycles throughout the rugby season. These consist of a morning cycle followed by lunch and a 1st XV fixture. In the summer the club has regular Wednesday evening rides taking in some of the best countryside in the North West.