The Washington Athletic Club Rugby 7s program has announced a multi-year financial and marketing partnership with Alliant Insurance Services, Inc.

The WAC is the defending national men's club 7s champions and also won the 2019 women's Plate at the USA Rugby club championships. Alliant has responded to this success and signed a marketing deal; Alliant is a leading provider of risk management, employee benefits consulting, and insurance brokerage services to clients nationwide. The partnership will begin in the 2020 club 7s season.

The new partnership officially commenced on January 1 with the Alliant logo appearing on WAC Rugby shirts.

“This is a very exciting partnership for us,” said Steve DiPietro, Managing Director of Alliant Employee Benefits (Seattle). “Rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States, likewise, Alliant is one of the fastest growing insurance companies in the country. You couple that with an iconic Seattle-based institution in the Washington Athletic Club and this opportunity aligns perfectly with our corporate values and brand strategy.”

The feeling is mutual according to Wayne Milner, Senior Vice President Athletics, Special Projects & Community Partners.

“We’ve enjoyed a tremendous amount of success since implementing a Rugby program here at the WAC,” remarked Milner. “However, it takes the hard work and dedication of our coaches and players, as well as having partners with great vision, such as Alliant, to continue to grow the game of rugby and help our WAC 7’s become the absolute best. We can’t wait to get started.”  

The Washington Athletic Club is based in Seattle, Wash., and is also the sponsoring organization for the Rudy Scholz and MA Sorensen awards, given to the top men's and women's college players, respectively. 

Alliant is headquartered in Newport Beach, Calif., and provides property and casualty, workers’ compensation, employee benefits, underwriting, surety, and financial products and services to clients nationwide.