CLUB NEWS RFU thanks volunteers for continued commitment Volunteers’ Week saw the RFU thanking all the volunteers who have made a huge difference to rugby and their communities, especially since the return of the sport following the pandemic. An estimated 100,000 volunteers help make rugby happen nationwide, supporting their clubs and making a difference to their wider neighbourhoods. RFU President HH Jeff Blackett said: “I have been amazed by the way rugby volunteers have bounced back, after a challenging couple of years, to support the return of rugby. They are the most important asset that rugby has, and we are appreciative of every volunteer who makes our sport happen day in, day out.”
CMAE European Conference says it’s time for family The European Conference on Club Management takes place on 5-8 November at the Costa Adeje, Tenerife. The Club Managers Association of Europe’s (CMAE’s) flag ship event will focus on the fact that over the course of the last two years, people’s priorities have changed, ‘some forced on us by the impact of Covid and others simply because we chose to reevaluate what is most important to us’. “In 2020 and 2021, the pandemic claimed a lot of jobs, a lot of relationships and had an adverse effect on people’s mental health. But, at the same time, a lot of our friendships grew and teams bonded due to the tests everyone was put through,” said the CMAE’s Toby Johanssen. “Now in 2022 we begin to see the light within the Club Industry with many of our
clubs seeing full Membership and healthy waiting lists. We have never been so busy! “Our goal is to make this Conference one to remember, a celebration, one where you can bring your own little Family if possible,
Sky issues first injunction in England prohibiting screening Their contribution Included Jodie Hill (pictured above) who at 28 stepped up to fill the vacant role of chair when Lincoln RFC were coming out of the pandemic (pictured). • www.englandrugby.com
Iconic Claret Jug trophy takes to the road Golf’s most famous trophy, the Claret Jug, is touring the UK and Ireland as we countdown to The 150th Open, taking place at the home of golf, St Andrews in Scotland. The 150th Open Claret Jug Tour seeks to inspire the next generation of golfing champions by visiting schools and community groups along the tour route, as part of HSBC Golf Roots, the umbrella development programme of The Golf Foundation that HSBC has supported since 2011. Golfing fans will be able to get their picture taken with the Claret Jug at a selection of venues including golf clubs, HSBC branches and public landmarks. 4 CLUB MIRROR
Sky has issued an Injunction to the Railway Tavern, Edmonton Green, London. The licensee, who is accused of screening Sky Sports illegally at her premises, has been made the subject of an Injunction prohibiting her from showing Sky at the pub or any other premises that she is connected to, unless she enters into the correct commercial contracts with Sky. Sara Stewart, Commercial Compliance Lead at Sky Business said: “It’s important to us that businesses are aware of the consequences of showing Sky Sports illegally – it is a serious issue that is damaging to the industry, and those licensees who choose to televise content in this way should be aware that they are at
high risk of being caught and face substantial penalties. We take breaches of Sky’s copyright very seriously and remain committed to protecting our legitimate Sky customers who are unfairly losing business due to this illegal activity.” Sky Sports is available to licensed premises in the UK through a commercial viewing agreement from Sky Business. In the instance of this licensee, said the broadcaster, Sky made an application for an Injunction ‘to stop the flagrant breaches of their copyright and intellectual property rights’. The Injunction will remain in place until a full hearing later this year. • www.pubpiracy.com
Clubs urged to take part in Cask Ale Week 2022 Cask Ale Week 2022 will run from September 22 to October 2 and aims to give venues the opportunity to showcase their cask ale offering. This annual event is run by beer accreditation body Cask Marque but venues do not have to be a member of the organisation to take part. The organisers have launched a new-look
website which includes ideas and resources to help clubs make the most of the event and promote their sales of Britain’s national drink. Obvious ways to promote the event include beer festivals and tastings, but clubs can also hold quizzes, beer and food pairing events, or even team up with a local brewery to produce a special bespoke beer. • caskaleweek.co.uk
where we will do all we can in order for us to enjoy the days in Tenerife as much as possible and bring strength back in body and soul.” • www.cmaeurope.org
Strangers’ Bar serves up support for Ukraine A British-brewed beer created in support of Ukrainian refugees was served in Parliament last month. White Crow, a 4.5% ABV blonde ale, brewed by Bridgehouse Brewery in Keighley, West Yorkshire was offered as a guest beer at the Strangers’ Bar in the Houses of Parliament. All profits from the specially brewed beer will be donated to the Help Ukraine Charity Appeal. The brewery has been working with the Brew For Ukraine initiative which has been encouraging breweries from all over the world – including over 70 British breweries – to produce Ukrainian themed beers, many based on original Ukrainian beer recipes, in order to raise money to support the ongoing relief efforts. Robbie Moore, the Conservative MP for Keighley and Ilkley, said: “We have all been horrified by the distressing situation in Ukraine and it’s great to see our independent brewers standing with the Ukrainian brewers and supporting the relief effort. “It’s a privilege to pour one of the first pints of White Cross at Parliament and I will be encouraging all my colleagues to offer their support by sampling Bridgehouse Brewery’s beer.” • www.brewforukraine.beer
