6 minute read
Welcome
AT THE HEART OF THE RUGBY COMMUNITY
Volunteers –how to find them and keep them. See page 32
Fixtures–Aviva Premiership Rugby kicks off
Ben Kay on the season ahead Could you be our Rugby Club of the Year?
SOCIAL ■ ENTERTAINMENT ■ SPORTS AND FITNESS clubmirror
September 2014 ATTHEHEARTOFTHECOMMUNITY
BRANDS REPORT
Top selling cask and keg beers revealed
AVIVA PREMIERSHIP ■ LEGAL EAGLE ■ CLUB KITCHEN ■ ASK THE EXPERTS
CLUB REPORT
Sound business advice for club professionals
2014
Positive perspectives for 2014
Club Mirror’s annual guide with expert advice for the year ahead
CLUBHOUSE
EUROPE
ISSUE 4
Membership management –dealing with complaints and complainers! p22
A word with –Staffan Tuomolin CCM
Communication is key –Julian Small explains Location report –spotlight on Prague
Welcome to Club Rugby magazine, our fourth magazine designed specifically for clubs.
This time last year we talked about how clubs generally - along with all other parts of the leisure sector - were coming up with ever more inventive ways to keep costs down, revenues up and member visits on the increase. And as always, rugby clubs are rising to the challenge.
Our commitment
As owners and publishers of Club Rugby as well as Club Mirror, Club Report and Clubhouse Europe, we are committed to helping all types of clubs build their business still further, through the provision of timely business information, help and advice.
With the Rugby World Cup 2015 less than a year away, we felt it was the right time to launch a free magazine specifically for rugby clubs. Building on this springboard, we will soon be launching rugby club-specific events and an interactive programme of meetings and networking opportunities which aim to pull the rugby club industry still closer together. So watch out for our latest updates in forthcoming issues; there’ll be lots going on!
Club Rugby –the magazine
The response to our recent reader survey was impressive. Thanks to all of you who took the time to complete it. (If you missed it don’t worry. This will be an annual activity and we’ll be running the 2015 questionnaire early next year.) We’ve acted on your ideas and suggestions and the magazine reflects what you told us you wanted to read –business building ideas, up-to-the minute advice and input from the experts on all aspects of running a rugby club. Consumer reports –Consumer reports also featured highly in the survey as a useful business tool, and we will continue to share analytical studies of market segments designed to help clubs ‘get under the skin’ of members and potential members.
Drinks reports –Drinks reports are popular, providing valuable insights into market trends (and thanks go to our analytical friends at CGA Strategy for their ongoing support here).
Special supplements –Supplements around special events will grow in importance, as you’ve indicated that such insights help to reinforce just what clubs can –and should –be doing to maximise the opportunities presented.
Legislation –As you’d expect this is high on everyone’s agenda, and lobbying is even higher. We regularly attend meetings at The House of Commons for The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Non-Profit Making Members’ Clubs. The Group aims to support clubs and make their collective voice heard in the corridors of power. This work is ongoing and all-important. (There’s no doubt that when we all get together we’re a force to be reckoned with. Club Rugby and Club Mirror will continue to work closely with industry bodies pan sector.)
Club Awards
Now in their 22nd year, the Club Awards continue to highlight the breadth and depth of clubland; Rugby Club of the Year is a crucial and important category. We encourage you all to
stand up and be counted! The annual event –which this year takes place on 20 November –is a unique showcase for clubland, and this was no more evident than in the 2013 Awards. The entries provided further proof, if proof were needed, that the club sector is pulling members through its busy doors through innovation, entertainment and determination.
Entrants have been busy maximising last year’s Awards successes through local media, on websites and internally to members –a reminder of just how special their club is (and why). So if your club is hesitant about entering, then don’t be. Be sure to enter and see your determination and sheer hard work recognised (Turn to pages 24-25 for the Express Entry Form or email info@clubmirror for details).
This year’s event will be hosted by sports presenter and rugby enthusiast (and indeed player) John Innverdale. The Awards ceremony follows a drinks reception and Gala Dinner in the Ballroom at the stunning Palace Hotel, Manchester.
Beer Festival –FREE to readers
Our sixth annual Beer Festival takes place on 20 November between 2-5pm on the same day as the Awards. Expertly run for us again by the team at CAMRA it will see a host of new brews and old friends in all their cask glory.
Trade shows –FREE to readers
As well as our annual November trade event, Ask the Experts – Live!, we’ve also run trade shows in Halifax and London. These featured long-standing club suppliers including Air Products, Dransfields, Marston’s, Poppleston Allen and Sky Sports, as well as newer business partners BT Sport and Carlsberg UK, all of whom shared advice and ideas with attending clubs.
Sports4Bars.com
Sports4Bars.com is the definitive online guide to all the live sport available to licensed premises in the UK. As the number of channels broadcasting live sport has grown massively in recent years, finding out when and on what channel the big match is on can sometimes be confusing.
That’s where Sports4Bars.com comes in, providing a one-stop destination for the up-to-date and accurate broadcast information you need to keep your customers happy and excited about live sport –whatever team or sport they follow. As well as providing the essential TV fixtures information you require, Sports4Bars.com will also be running regular special features and promotions, to help you make the most of sport in your venue and increase your bottom line.
Clubhouse Europe
Club Mirror and The Club Managers Association of Europe (CMAE) joined forces to launch a new international magazine, Clubhouse Europe. The cutting edge business-driving magazine was launched to help CMAE members at a senior level drive the professionalism of clubs and resorts around Europe.
To conclude...
Thank you for joining us at Club Rugby magazine and please do let us know all your news and contact us with any queries about any aspects of club business. Between us all, we look forward to a proactive and decidedly positive new season and a great 2015.
CONTACT DETAILS
Sean Ferris, Club Rugby/Club Awards Gainsborough House, 59/60 Thames Street, Windsor, Berks SL4 1TX t. 01753 272022
SOCIAL ■ ENTERTAINMENT ■ SPORTS AND FITNESS clubmirror
March 2014 ATTHEHEARTOFTHECOMMUNITY
SOCIAL ■ ENTERTAINMENT ■ SPORTS AND FITNESS clubmirror ATTHEHEARTOFTHECOMMUNITYJANUARY 2005 Club Kitchen Recipes for rugby showdown Club Mirror Awards And the winners are... Club Mirror HQ 2005 – resolutions or revolutions? Game on Latest and greatest at ATEI Backing English ru45 YEARS
S O C I A L ■ E N T E R T A I N M E N T ■ S P O R T S A N D F I T N E S S clubmirror
August 2014 AT THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY
Working within the law
ALSO INSIDE:
Perfect pitches and glorious greens Great British Beer Festival Football Special - Barclays Premier League
N E W S ■ P R O D U C T S ■ T R A D E S H O W ■ S P O R T S F I X T U R E S ■ C L U B K I T C H E N
CLUBHOUSE
EUROPE
AUTUMN 2013
Club Management Conference, Rome
– see page 6 Junior golf –why it matters Talking teamwork –the word from Wentworth Game, set and match –tennis is on the ball
CLUBHOUSE
EUROPE
ISSUE 3
