Britain's wheelchair rugby team will be supported by TLA Worldwide ©GBWR

GB Wheelchair Rugby (GBWR) has announced the appointment of sports marketing company TLA Worldwide to aid its development ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

TLA will focus on delivering new commercial partners, supporting GBWR's clubs across the Britain, supporting its growing youth programme and its development of new disciplines, while also building on the profile of wheelchair rugby in the country through new content and media exposure.

As GBWR's commercial partnership procurement and management agency, TLA will also take on a public relations and marketing role that includes content creation and digital support.

"To partner with a global agency like TLA is a sign of the real ambition both our Board and TLA share for the future of our sport," said David Pond, chief executive of GBWR.

"In all of our discussions with the TLA team we were bowled over by their energy and passion.

"This is an agency that works with top brands, businesses, teams and athletes all over the world.

"We are excited about the ideas they have for supporting our clubs, growing our digital and media presence and helping us to find new commercial partners who share our values and dreams."

Britain's best finish in wheelchair rugby at the Paralympics is fourth - achieved on three occasions ©Getty Images
Britain's best finish in wheelchair rugby at the Paralympics is fourth - achieved on three occasions ©Getty Images

Some of TLA's existing clients include six-time Olympic cycling champion Sir Chris Hoy, Olympic swimming champion Adam Peaty and the Football Association, English football's governing body.

"Our most successful partnerships benefit from our integrated approach where our commercial, talent, events, PR and digital and creative teams come together to develop tailored campaigns that deliver genuine results," said Paul Roberts, head of TLA in the United Kingdom.

"GBWR's values - to be inclusive, accessible and supportive of all who wish to be part of the sport - are ones we strongly support and identify with.

"We thoroughly enjoyed he pitching process, getting to know the talented members of the team and its Board, and we look forward to supporting GBWR's excellent work with youth teams and injured service people and sharing some of the truly emotive and inspirational stories of the players as the world prepares once again to celebrate the pinnacle of all global sporting events."

The wheelchair rugby contest at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics is scheduled to take place from August 25 to 29, with Britain one of the eight qualified nations.