A new marketing team has been put in place at Premier Rugby, the marketing arm of English First Division Rugby (EFDR), to help attract more sponsorship into the game and develop community programmes.

Premier Rugby, whose logo appeared on the kits of all Zurich Premiership sides from this season, was set up to help the top 12 clubs in the country enhance their profile and maximise income.

Following the recent departure of John Bushell, the former head of marketing, to take up an "offer he could not refuse", according to the EFDR, at Sports Marketing Surveys two new recruits, both formerly Zurich sides' back room staff, have been brought in.

Simon Hoskins, who was marketing director at Saracens where he developed the CashBack Scheme that has since been replicated across sports throughout the country, will take over the marketing duties.

And John Oates formerly commercial director at Newcastle Falcons and an RFU Senior Coach, will manage the Premier Rugby Community Programme, working with the clubs to help them further develop their community initiatives.

"Premier Rugby is an exciting opportunity to help the clubs grow in terms of both revenue and attendance. Rugby is a great spectator sport with athletes who are fitter, faster, and harder than any others. We have a great opportunity through Premier Rugby to take the initiative, work together, and really make it happen for rugby," said Hoskins.

EFDR Chief Executive, Howard Thomas added, "These appointments are further evidence of the twelve EFDR clubs' commitment to invest in Premier Rugby and work together commercially for the benefit of all."

Hoskins, will drive forward the national marketing initiatives with the aims of increasing awareness of the club game and increasing attendance at matches. He will also be bringing in additional sponsorship and revenue to the club game, following the launch of the Premier Rugby brand in August and the announcement of James Gilbert Ltd as an Official Supplier worth £1 million over three years.

The Premier Rugby Community Programme will aim to benefit clubs and their surrounding communities. For the clubs the programme represents an opportunity to attract more players into the game and more fans to matches. For the surrounding community the programme it is hoped will have a positive impact on young peoples lives using Premier Rugby players to impart important lifestyle messages on issues including education, health, crime, truancy and drugs.

"Clubs such as Saracens, Newcastle Falcons and Northampton Saints have shown how impactful community activity can be," explained Oates. "We have spent the last six months developing the components and we will now be working with the DfEE, local authorities and the clubs themselves to implement them; the success of this programme is fundamental to the future of rugby at club level.

"Last year the clubs came into direct contact with over 100,000 youngsters. It is expected thatduring the next two years this will increase to over 250,000 per annum."

But as Thomas, suggests this could be only the beginning, "The clubs have shown their commitment to the centre by releasing their top guys to work for Premier Rugby. We will shortly be announcing some of the new commercial partners of Premier Rugby which will further enable us to promote the game and provide further revenue for the twelve clubs."

Premier Rugby are expecting to announce a third appointment to their marketing team shortly and also some new sponsors for English domestic rugby.