Mitsubishi Motors UK is backing Pacific Rugby Player Welfare in a pledge to support professional and semi-professional players overcome the challenges of the game and living overseas.

As part of the new partnership, Mitsubishi Motors UK is supplying the independent not-for-profit organization fully liveried Mitsubishi Outlander 4. PRPW founder and ex-Samoan International Daniel Leo will use the flagship Outlander 4 model to visit approximately 150 Pacific Island players who now play for UK clubs.

The Pacific Rugby Player Welfare (PRPW) a nationwide 24/7 support network team is comprised of lawyers, accountants, councillors, coaches and former players of Pacific heritage who have settled in England and Europe and able to share their experience. The movement spans every factor ranging from finances to education, while PRPW also arrange social events and focus groups to better understand and provide the traditional ‘family’ sense that many players may be missing from home.

With a winning-record of 39 caps for Samoa and 4 for the Pacific Islands – PRPW founder Daniel, reported: “Being part of a leading club in the UK and Europe is seen as the pinnacle for many players in the Pacific Islands, but coming here can be quite eye-opening. Community is a massive part of life back home and we strive to keep that feeling for players when they’re working overseas, while also providing the vital skills and information they need to integrate into another culture. The support can be essential, as in some cases that players can be financially responsible for supporting a large family or, in an extreme case, even a whole village.”

Daniel continued: “We’re immensely grateful for the support from Mitsubishi Motors in the UK and with their enthusiasm for rugby, they’re the perfect fit for us. The Mitsubishi Outlander will make a massive difference to our work, enabling us to physically keep in touch with players and families and avoid the chances of them becoming isolated.”

Lance Bradley – Managing Director at Mitsubishi Motors UK, said: “We are delighted to partner PRPW. Rugby is all about being part of a family and it’s vital for the game that the increasing numbers of players from the Pacific Islands have the support they need to comfortably adapt to a brand new culture. PRPW not only ensures this, but its existence is also a great boost in helping to attract the best talent from the region, players knowing that the support they need to make their move overseas as straightforward as possible is already in place.

Mitsubishi UK is known for backing the support of rugby at all levels, rising from grassroots all the way up to international hence the forming of their recent PRPW partnership. The brand has been a sponsor of England Rugby since 2016 and officially supported Gloucester Rugby since 2005, taking over as main partner in 2015.

Book to test drive the Mitsubishi Outlander at Glyn Hopkin Mitsubishi dealerships today.