Gloucester and Tigers to play for Slater Cup
» GLOUCESTER and Leicester will compete for the Slater Cup from now on, across home and away Premiership fixtures.
The cup, named after Gloucester and Leicester lock Ed Slater, will be contested between the two teams every season across each home and away Premiership fixtures.
Slater played for Leicester for seven years, captaining the club during two seasons and signed for Gloucester in 2017, making 90 appearances for the Cherry and Whites before retiring in June 2022, following his diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease.
Gloucester and the Slater family established the ‘4Ed’ campaign; a platform designed to raise awareness of MND and generate funds for Ed’s family and his treatment.
The campaign has raised more than £214,000 thanks to the incredible fundraising efforts from the rugby community, including the inaugural 4Ed Cycle, which saw Ed and 10 teammates and friends cycle 350 miles across three days.
The Slater Cup will kick-off during Leicester’s home match against Gloucester on Christmas Eve, and 4Ed fundraising will take place throughout the ground, in the fan and hospitality areas, and Slater will join the teams on the pitch to present the trophy.
Gloucester host the Tigers in the return leg of the Slater Cup on Sunday March 12 (1pm), with 5% from every ticket sold going to the 4Ed campaign.
“The support my family and I have received has been incredible; it’s not something we ever expected,” said Slater.
“It’s a huge privilege for me and my family to see two great English clubs contest for a cup in my name.
“I put everything I had in to playing for both Leicester and Gloucester and I’m extremely proud to have represented both clubs.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the efforts so many people have gone to, whether it’s a 350+ mile cycle, a local charity raffle or the Slater Cup.
“It’s so important to me to ensure my family are taken care of but also, that we raise as much awareness as possible for MND, in the hope of finding treatment and a cure.
“I hope through the Slater Cup, those efforts to raise awareness can continue.”
Gloucester will also host a ‘4Ed’ gala dinner the weekend prior to the return leg of the Slater Cup, at Cheltenham Racecourse on Saturday March 4.