WILTSHIRE technology giant Dyson has become the new title partner of Bath Rugby, it was announced today.

The Malmesbury-based organisation will become the club's main backer for the next two seasons, with Bath players sporting shirts featuring some of the company' different technologies.

Bath owner and club chairman Bruce Craig said: “Both Bath Rugby and Dyson share a culture of high performance and pursuit of excellence. We both relentlessly seek improvement in everything we do and we both relish taking on tough competition.

"For us, this new partnership is a positive sign of the progress the club has made recently and is a huge encouragement as we strive to achieve our ambition to become the best club in Europe.

"We are excited about what Dyson can bring to the club. They are a forward-thinking, innovative organisation and I’m sure they will help challenge how we do things, both on and off the field.

"We will certainly be taking inspiration from their history of tenacity and taking on the big boys, as we face some of the finest sides in England and Europe next season.”

One of the features of the partnership will see a unique set of shirts that match different Dyson technologies with player positions.

The front row will wear Dyson digital slim shirts; the second row will be Dyson Animal; back row will be Dyson on a ball; half-backs and full-backs will wear Dyson hot + cool; while the centres and wings will wear Dyson 110,000rpm – after the small, fast Dyson digital motor.

Sir James Dyson, the inventor and founder of Dyson, added: ‘‘Dyson started out in a coachhouse in Bath, with just two graduates and I developing the first cyclonic vacuum cleaner.

"When I wasn’t busy toiling with prototypes, I was off to see Bath Rugby play just up the road.

"Twenty one years later, I’m surrounded by over 2,000 people at Dyson who, with an average age of 26, are keen on playing sport.

"Bath remains our local club – many Dyson people live there and keenly support the team.

"Bruce Craig and his family, armed with his infectious enthusiasm and tactical skill, are transforming the club.

"It has been a joy and inspiration to witness Bath Rugby’s rapid regeneration and see the club’s ambitious expansion plans first-hand.

"Just as Rome, Verona and Pula have Roman coliseums at the heart of the city, Bruce Craig's proposed new stadium is an architecturally sympathetic Coliseum for Roman Bath, designed by Wilkinson Eyre.

"We are backing a world class team that shares Dyson’s faith in nurturing youth and have fighting spirit in abundance.”

Free Bath Rugby Junior Membership Club Sports Day!

Bath's Junior Membership club is celebrating its first birthday with a free event at the Rec on Sunday (10.30am-12.30pm).

The Bath Rugby Sports Day is open to all ages and Junior Membership Club leader Maximus and some of the Bath players will be there.

Anyone who is already a member of the Junior Membership Club, or signs up on the day, will be entered into a free prize draw.

A host of sporty challenges and an assault course will be there, while the Bath Rugby mobile shop will be open selling all the latest Junior Membership Club merchandise.

Anyone who presents a valid Junior Membership card will receive 10% off selected items.

Food and drink will be available and the clubhouse will also be open.

MORE ON THE NEW PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN DYSON AND BATH RUGBY IN THIS WEEK'S WILTSHIRE TIMES