DataX Connect announces three-year Principal Partnership with Trojans Women’s Rugby

Southampton, September 2026 – DataX Connect is proud to announce a new three-year partnership with Trojans Rugby Club, becoming Principal Sponsor of the club’s senior women’s rugby teams. 

The partnership will see the DataX Connect name take pride of place on the senior women’s teams’ shirts and marks the beginning of a significant long-term commitment to the Hampshire club. 

For DataX Connect, however, the partnership has a connection that goes far beyond sponsorship.

DataX Connect was co-founded by Liam Thomas, a former Trojan who grew up playing at the club before progressing into the senior men’s team. His father, Colin Thomas, also represented Trojans for many years, creating a family connection with the club that spans generations. 

Liam Thomas, CEO and Co-Founder, said: 

“Trojans has been part of my family’s life for as long as I can remember. I grew up playing here, went through the youth teams and eventually played for the men’s team, following in the footsteps of my dad, Colin Thomas. 

To come back now with DataX Connect as Principal Sponsor feels incredibly special.What particularly appealed to us was the opportunity to support the senior women’s teams. 

Sport has also shaped a lot of the way we think about our business. Many of our colleagues are current or former sportspeople, and we believe the values shared by sport and business, teamwork, resilience and ambition. Those are qualities we recognise in Trojans and want I want in the business. 

We’re incredibly proud to support Hampshires oldest Rugby club and put our name on the shirts and to support the club over the next three years. For us, this isn’t just about sponsorship. We want to become part of the club, support its people and hopefully play a small part in the next chapter of its story.” 

Founded in 1874, Trojans has been part of Hampshire’s sporting community for more than 150 years, developing generations of players from junior rugby through to the senior game. 

The partnership will support the senior women’s teams and will extend beyond matchday sponsorship, with DataX Connect and Trojans planning a programme of activity bringing together their employees, players and wider communities. 

Mike Barns, Trojans Rugby Sponsorship Manager, said: 

“This has to be one of the largest sponsorship deals we have secured during my time at the club, and certainly one of the fastest. 

I sent an email to our Pirates (former players) and sponsors on the Monday. Liam’s father, Colin Thomas, a former Trojan player himself, passed the email on to Liam and, within just five days, the deal was agreed. 

It demonstrates the passion Liam and his team have for supporting grassroots sport, particularly a club where Liam spent so many years developing as a junior player before progressing into senior rugby. 

As I always say, ‘Once a Trojan, Always a Trojan.’” 

DataX Connect specialises in recruitment for the global data centre industry, working across the UK, Europe and the US alongside producing market intelligence for employers and professionals across the sector. 

The three-year partnership begins with the 2026/27 season.