The Irish Tag Rugby Association (ITRA) Announces New Partnership with SMBC Aviation Capital

Dublin – June 9, 2026: The Irish Tag Rugby Association (ITRA) is proud to announce a new partnership with SMBC Aviation Capital who will support Ireland’s international tag rugby teams for the 2026 season.

The sponsorship will support Ireland’s 11 representative international tag rugby squads as they prepare to compete on the world stage, including the British & Irish Cup against Great Britain this August and the 2026 ITF Tag World Cup in Coffs Harbour, Australia this October. The World Cup is set to feature more than 270 teams from across the globe in the largest-ever edition of the tournament. Uniquely, Ireland's panels will feature players ranging in age from 19 to 66 across both mixed and single-sex teams, reflecting the inclusive spirit that continues to drive the sport's rapid growth across the country.
Tag rugby continues to grow rapidly across Ireland with more than 15,000 people participating annually. As one of the country’s leading mixed-gender participation sports, tag rugby is built around inclusivity, accessibility and community, welcoming players of all backgrounds, ages and abilities into the game. 

Headquartered in Dublin, SMBC Aviation Capital is the leading global aviation finance platform, with an owned, managed and committed fleet of approximately 1,700 aircraft, with over 170 airline customers across the globe. Their commitment to growth, resilience and long-term partnership makes them a natural fit for Ireland's international tag rugby programme and the ambitions of the players who represent it. The support from SMBC Aviation Capital will play an important role in helping Irish international players manage the significant self-funded costs associated with representing their country, including training, preparation, and international travel.

ITRA General Manager Jack Leahy welcomed the announcement: “We’re delighted to welcome SMBC Aviation Capital as a partner of our international programme for 2026. Representing Ireland in tag rugby is an incredible opportunity for our players but it also comes with major personal commitment and significant self-funded costs. We are a small association undertaking a huge task in getting 180 people to compete in Australia, and this is simply impossible without genuine support.

This support will make a real difference in helping players on that journey. Since our very first meeting, I’ve been struck by the genuine enthusiasm, curiosity and ambition shown by everyone involved from SMBC Aviation Capital. Ambition is part of their culture and that outlook really resonates with our players and management teams. Australia are the global giants of tag rugby, having invented the game and boasting a huge playing population, but our squads believe they can compete with the very best in the world. SMBC Aviation Capital has encouraged and supported us to be bold in those ambitions, and that backing means a huge amount heading into such a major international season.”

Peter Barrett, CEO of SMBC Aviation Capital, commented: "At SMBC Aviation Capital, we're proud to support the ITRA and Ireland's international tag rugby programme. What makes this partnership particularly special for us is that two of our own colleagues will be putting on the green jersey this season. Seeing that kind of personal commitment from within our own team gave us an early insight into just how much this sport means to the people who play it. That's what drew us to this partnership, and we're genuinely excited to be part of what promises to be a landmark season for Irish tag rugby."

The 2026 ITF Tag World Cup in Coffs Harbour will bring together the world’s leading tag rugby nations for one of the sport’s premier global events, with Ireland aiming to build on a strong history of international performances and challenge at the highest level.

About Irish Tag Rugby Association (ITRA)
The Irish Tag Rugby Association was established in Dublin in 2000, aiming to bring mixed-gender social sport opportunities to a rugby-mad nation. The game is distinct from traditional forms of rugby in that contact is strictly prohibited, allowing for mixed-gender and inclusive participation.
Over 15,000 people take part in tag rugby competitions through ITRA every year, with significant numbers of teams taking part all-year round. The game is especially popular in Dublin, Limerick, Cork, Galway, Kildare, and Waterford, but is played all over the country in a range of facilities and settings.
After years of continued growth, an international representative pathway was established in 2014 when ITRA joined the International Tag Federation (ITF) as a board member. Since then, teams representing Ireland have engaged in annual competition with Great Britain in the British & Irish Cup, and participated in the Tag World Cups in 2015, 2018, and 2023. 
 

Peter Barrett, CEO of SMBC Aviation Capital