Whitehaven rugby league club have announced a new name for their Recreation Ground home – and plans to install solar panels there.
It had been changed to the LEL Stadium but from November it will become The Ortus REC.
In a statement, the club said: “Whitehaven RLFC is proud to announce a new long-term partnership with Ortus Energy, our new ground naming sponsors of the Recreation Ground and the away shirt sponsors for the 2024 Season.
“This powerful partnership will achieve the club’s long-term sustainability through the installation of a solar energy system that generates clean and efficient energy to power the club into the next decade.
“Reducing the carbon footprint of the club, but also long-term energy costs is at the heart of our future prosperity.
“The creation of a Renewable Energy Centre at the Ortus REC will showcase how sports clubs like ours and the Renewable Energy Industry can drive results on the field and off.
“Putting this success back into the community means we can build job opportunities and long-term growth in our community.
Laurence Christie, co-head impact investing at ASIP and board member and key investor in Ortus Energy, said: “Successful deployment of renewable energy requires creative thinking.
“Whitehaven is a famous rugby league club at the centre of the community and through creative thinking we have established an Ortus Energy presence at the ground including basing our technical team at the Ortus REC.
“This partnership puts investment into local energy resilience, jobs and skills right at the heart of the community. This approach aligns with our values and principles when it comes to place-based impact investing.”
Grant Taylor, Whitehaven RLFC director said: “We are absolutely delighted to get this deal over the line. Alistair and the Ortus team have been supporting the club over the last 12 months. Most recently they sponsored our summer bash shirt. They have also provided some invaluable support in the background.
“We really can’t wait for the full details of this partnership to be released for our fans and local community to see what the future holds.
“Whitehaven RLFC can be the trailblazers in demonstrating how rugby league clubs can embrace and benefit from creative thinking and renewable energy schemes.”
The board of directors say they would also like to put on record their thanks to Nick Robinson and the team at LEL who depart as ground and shirt sponsors.
“They have been a fantastic sponsor over the last three years. We wish them all the best,” they said.
