Club Rugby by Alchemy Contract Publishing

SEPTEMBER 2021

AT THE HEART OF THE RUGBY COMMUNITY

Thirteen teams, one winner Welcome to the new Premiership season Facts, fixtures and the ones to watch

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WELCOME

Welcome

Contents 4

News

13 teams but only one winner

Gallagher Premiership fixtures

Moving back to normal

Festival of Clubs 2021

Supplier of the Year Awards

HQ Building the Business

Whirlwind Tour of what we’re up to

Hospitality Social Media Awards

Supplier showcase

Welcome to the latest issue of Club Rugby, the magazine for grassroots rugby clubs. The start of the season is always a joyous times for clubs and that feeling is even more intense this time around given the 18 months of disruption to the sport caused by the pandemic. It’s a real testament to club officials and volunteers that they have managed to battle through this dark period and have now come out the other side in such a strong position and ready to relaunch their activities. As we all know, rugby clubs are not just about what happens on the field of play but are hubs of the community who provide much, much more to their members. Let us hope that there is no further disruption to the game during the approaching winter and that players, coaches, referees, volunteers and members can get on with the business of enjoying everything that rugby provides. Many new players will be flocking to clubs having been inspired by the fantastic displays of Sevens Rugby during the recent Olympics, while the incredible Gold Medalwinning feats of the GB Wheelchair Rugby team in the Paralympics is sure to mark a watershed for that version of the sport. The British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa may not have provided as many thrills as expected but at the very least the nature of that particular Test series has started a debate on the future of the game. On one side, rugby union traditionalists believe that the game, for all its flaws, should be left well alone while others want to see rugby at all levels providing more of a spectacle. It’s a debate that will doubtlessly run and run and there are certainly no easy solutions when you’re talking about the very soul of the game. As always, this month’s Club Rugby has plenty of features to help grassroots clubs reach their business potential and boost their revenues. We also have plenty of expert advice on a whole range of club-centric topics.

Caroline Scoular

Sean Ferris

Ashley Cairns

Mark Newton

Lawrence Hardcastle

Leigh-Anne Oglivie

Editor Justin O’Regan Design David Foster Events Leigh-Anne Ogilvie Circulation Jon Hardy Accounts Michael Jeffries, Pam Attrill

Club Rugby is published by Alchemy Contract Publishing (ACP) Ltd. Club Rugby is a sister title to ACP’s Club Mirror and Clubhouse Europe. ACP Gainsborough House 59/60 Thames Street Windsor Berkshire SL4 1TX UK t. +44 (0)1753 272022 f. +44 (0)1753 272021 e.info@clubrugby.org.uk www.alchemycontractpublishing.co.uk

The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publishers. Club Rugby does not verify the claims made by advertisers regarding their products.

JUSTIN O’REGAN CLUB RUGBY 3

News from the touchline United Rugby Championship gets set for kick-off

Trimsaran RFC enjoys star turnout at event In September, South Wales side Trimsaran RFC marked the club’s centenary in style with a number of famous faces attending a specially arranged game against the illustrious Llanelli RFC. Former international referee Nigel Owens made a return to the pitch just six months after his retirement to take charge of the club’s fixture against local senior side Llanelli. Another big name in attendance was Jonathan Davies, the former dual League and Union international turned TV pundit. Davies, who began his rugby career at the club, handed out the new centenary jerseys to the home players before the match. “I was very proud to be asked to do that,” said Davies. “You have got to remember where you came from. “Most international players come from places like Trimsaran and their dream is to play for Wales. “Maybe, in a few years' time, I will see one of the players I presented with a jersey playing for Wales. “That would be nice. That’s what rugby is all about. The kids have got to dream and see their heroes.” The match ended in a 12-78 win for Llanelli but that did not dampen any celebrations with the singing and fun continuing for many hours in the clubhouse. Trimsaran had actually been due to celebrate their centenary last season, but the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing lockdown had led to the event having to be rescheduled by 12 months. 4 CLUB RUGBY

The United Rugby Championship (URC) – formerly known as the PRO14 – begins on September 21 and sees the top clubs from South Africa competing against sides from Scotland, Ireland, Italy and Wales across 18 rounds. In the UK, the 2021-2022 season will be showing on Premier Sports with 151 games set to be broadcast. “We believe these fixtures will ensure that the URC could deliver on its promise of a new era for our league where the very best from South Africa go head-to-head with our Celtic and Italian teams,” said Martin Anayi, CEO of United Rugby Championship. “As we carefully manoeuvre out of the pandemic, the URC will take its place as one of the leading leagues in global rugby and this fixture list should ignite our competition and take it to the next level." Round 1 of the competition sees defending title holders and eight-times

champions, Leinster, taking on three-time Super Rugby champions Vodacom Bulls. Munster, another multiple-time champion will welcome the Cell C Sharks to Ireland while the DHL Stormers face Rainbow Cup winners Benetton in Treviso and the Emirates Lions travel to Parma to take on Zebre. Edinburgh will host Scarlets in their new stadium in the Scottish capital. The first Welsh derby of the season takes place between the Dragons and Ospreys, Cardiff Rugby entertain Connacht while a battle of former champions will take place between Ulster and Glasgow Warriors. “This schedule is the most complex we have ever produced and the efforts of every one of our stakeholders to help us piece it together in the current climate have been monumental," added Anayi. "We now have a format that will heighten competition, showcase our clubs,

elevate our athletes and bring great excitement to fans and TV audiences right across our territories and beyond.” For the last four seasons, the championship was divided into two conferences but the inaugural URC will see a single league table, with 18 regular-season games (down from 21) to decide the standings. The top eight after all games are played will enter the play-offs (quarter-finals, semifinals and final). For play-off seedings, the top team will play the side that finishes in eighth place, second v seventh and so on. Each season the URC Grand Final will be held at what organisers call a 'destination venue’. There are also no rounds scheduled during the international windows, making it more likely that teams will be able to call on their top stars more often.

HRH The Princess Royal opens new clubhouse at Deeside RFC

Wooden Spoon unveils its three-year strategy Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby, has published its three-year business strategy. The strategy sets out three clear priorities: l To raise more funds and help more children and young people l To respond to the evolving need of its beneficiaries and evidence the impact l To expand its position as a leading voice in rugby.

Wooden Spoon, CEO, Sarah Webb said: “It has been a challenging time for Wooden Spoon,

Club Rugby

For all the latest news from the international, club and grassroots rugby scenes; business advice on how to cut costs and boost trade in your clubhouse and regular competitions and promotions featuring some great prizes, don’t forget to visit the Club Rugby website at: www.clubrugby.org.uk

like most charities. In addition to the impact on the economy, COVID-19 has had a profound impact on society meaning that even more vulnerable children and young people needed our support. “It fills me with enormous pride that Wooden Spoon has remained strong and has continued to deliver funding and support to life-changing projects supporting our beneficiaries across the UK and Ireland. “Thanks to our loyal supporters, we have been able to deliver over 200 life-changing projects over the last year, at a time of tremendous difficulty for so many people and organisations. “Camaraderie is at our core and never have we seen this be more evident.”

On Wednesday, September 1, Deeside RFC in Scotland enjoyed the honour of HRH The Princess Royal officially opening their new clubhouse. The clubhouse was built over the past year in a start/stop process during the pandemic lockdowns at a cost of £175,000. The 1st XV currently play in Caledonia League 4 North but are hoping that the new facilities will help the club progress through the rugby pyramid. The club also has a flourishing youth setup and, during her visit, the Princess Royal was able to observe a training session featuring players from various age groups. Trustee and former president of the club, Ian Finlayson, was keen the club should continue to enhance the facilities. He said: “We were ambitious right from the time we moved onto the new pitches

here in Banchory 10 years ago having moved from multiple sites in Aboyne and Banchory where the facilities were no longer fulfilling our needs and have made stunning progress at a ground leased to us from the Leys Estate. “The process is never ending, but the clubhouse was always a main aim for us. “It is a major £175,000 investment, representing a huge leap into the future.” He added: “We are thrilled to have HRH The Princess Royal officially open the clubhouse, especially given her connection with the area and of course her position as Patron to Scottish Rugby.” HRH The Princess Royal unveiled a plaque to commemorate the occasion and was then handed a bouquet of flowers before being piped into her car by the Deeside pipers.

Amazon Prime Video sign deal for majority of Autumn games Amazon Prime Video has been confirmed as the broadcast partner for the majority of the Autumn Internationals. The streaming giant will broadcast 17 out of 20 rugby internationals during October and November in the UK, a series that Six Nations Rugby are set to call the ‘Autumn Nations Series’. Ben Morel, Chief Executive Officer, Six Nations Rugby, said: “We are delighted to be working with Prime Video again for the broadcast of the Autumn Nations Series. “They were a fantastic partner last year and we share the same ambition to establish an exciting series that fans will engage with and enjoy.” CLUB RUGBY 5

GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP

There will be 13 teams aiming to reach the final of the Gallagher Premiership at Twickenham in May

13 teams but only one winner Club Rugby looks ahead to what promises to be an intriguing Gallagher Premiership campaign in 2021/22 with reigning champions Harlequins vying for honours alongside 12 other teams, including beaten finalists Exeter Chiefs, Bristol Bears and, following a one-year gap, Saracens.

nce again there is a huge anticipation amongst rugby fans for the start of another Gallagher Premiership season, particularly after the spectacular conclusion to the last one which saw Harlequins pull off a shock win in the final as they beat Exeter Chiefs 40-38 at Twickenham. It was the manner of Quins' run to the final which has raised excitement levels to such a lofty altitude as the Londoners threw caution to the wind in the latter stages of the competition, producing a 15-man attacking style of game which simply blew away the Chiefs as well as the muchvaunted Bristol Bears team in the semi-final. In that unforgettable semi-final tie against the Bears – arguably the game of the season – Quins pulled off the biggest comeback in Premiership Rugby history, overturning a 28-0 deficit to beat the Bears 43-36 at Ashton Gate.

6 CLUB RUGBY

Both these knockout games were superb adverts for the sport and now the pressure is on for the players in England's top flight to continue to deliver entertainment on a weekly basis. For their part, Quins have already vowed to stay true to the style of game which won them the title. Their main man, fly-half Marcus Smith, will surely be on international duty with England for significant periods during the coming season after making his Test and Lions debuts during the summer but the squad has been strengthened with Italy No.10 Tommaso Allan and Scotland centre Huw Jones two significant arrivals at the Stoop who will bolster the club’s title defence. But the competition for the Gallagher Premiership trophy is sure to be fierce with 13 teams battling it out this season following a change in structure due to the Premiership, meaning two ‘bye’ weeks for each side.

The competition will expand to 14 teams after next season and there will be no threat of relegation for the next two campaigns which will hopefully lead to more positive rugby, particularly for those teams finding themselves at the wrong end of the table. As for the aforementioned Bristol Bears, they set the standard for much of the 2020/21 season but seemed to peak just a few weeks too early to make an impact at the business end. Having finished top of the table at the conclusion of the regular campaign, winning 17 of their 22 games for their best-ever Premiership finish, the stage was apparently set for a barnstorming finish to the season. As it turned out, they collapsed in a torrid second half in the semi-final against Quins having racked up a 28-0 lead in the first 40 minutes. The squad remains fairly settled for the

upcoming season so it will be a case of picking themselves up from last season's disappointment and carrying on their upward progression of the past few years. Further west, runners-up Exeter Chiefs will surely be back in contention once again given their major successes in recent seasons. The 2019-20 campaign saw Chiefs achieve an historic domestic and European double and they retain the majority of the squad who reached the final last year before losing narrowly to Harlequins. Like Bristol, the Chiefs have not been particularly active on the recruitment front during the summer with only a handful of academy graduates, as well as Waratahs lock Ryan McCauley and ex-Bayonne and Bath Rugby prop Sam Nixon, added to the squad. But having reached six consecutive Premiership finals, few would bet against the Chiefs making it through to the climax of the season once more this time around. The fourth of last season's semi-finalists, Sale Sharks, produced some masterful displays throughout 2020/21 but couldn't negotiate a way past Exeter Chiefs to reach the final. Like their Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson, the team has a no-nonsense, direct approach to the game and could be genuine title contenders this season. They will be eager to welcome back Springbok stars Coenie Oosthuizen, Lood de Jager, Dan du Preez, Jean-Luc du Preez and, of course, scrumhalf extraordinaire Faf de Klerk, as the team sets its sights on bringing silverware to the AJ Bell Stadium. Back in the Premiership after a one-year absence, Saracens are certain to be a major force this season, having won the title in 2019 and boasting a number of star names in their ranks, including 2021 Lions tourists Owen Farrell, Maro

Itoje, Jamie George and Mako Vunipola. A number of players are also returning from loan spells to strengthen the squad, including Nick Lozowski, Nick Isiekwe, Ben Earl and Max Malins, the latter two both having enjoyed a season with Bristol Bears. Having clinched the second-tier English Championship in comprehensive fashion in June, the North Londoners are likely to hit the ground running on their return and will surely be a formidable presence throughout the coming campaign. Bath have lacked consistency in recent seasons, finishing seventh in the final table last term, and their fans will be hoping that the arrival of veteran fly-half Danny Cipriani can galvanise the team. The Recreation Ground outfit are certainly not lacking in terms of talent, particularly in the backline, which boasts the combined talents of Anthony Watson, Cameron Redpath, Joe Cokanasiga and Jonathan Joseph, so if Cipriani directs operations in his inimitable fashion, Bath could be on their way to a top-four finish. Gloucester will have been bitterly disappointed by their 11th place finish in the table last season but there are signs that they are putting the necessary platform in place to make progress under coach George Skivington. They have made a number of high-profile signings during the off-season, none more so than Scotland fly-half Adam Hastings who will surely have a major impact on proceedings after some impressive performances for Glasgow Warriors. Meanwhile, Leicester Tigers have set out their stall for the season by appointing Ellis Genge as skipper and their legion of fans will be hoping that the barnstorming England prop will provide the inspiration required to take the team's performance levels up several notches.

With Springbok No.8 Jasper Wiese – mightily impressive against the British & Irish Lions over the summer – also on hand to make the hard yards for the Tigers this season, there is every chance that the Tigers will improve on their sixth-place finish last season. With Rugby League legend Kevin Sinfield having recently arrived at Welford Road as Defence Coach, there is certainly an air of menace about the class of 2021/22. London Irish finished last season in ninth spot and will be hoping that a packed Brentford Community Stadium – their impressive new home in West London – will help them to climb the table this season. Former England and Harlequins winger Ugo Monye will be one of the key pundits for BT Sport this season

CLUB RUGBY 7

GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP The Exiles made a habit of losing very close contests in the latter half of the season and will no doubt have been working intensely on their game management during the summer in order to turn brave performances into winning ones. Club legend Blair Cowan has left the fold to pursue a career in Japan but there are plenty of new faces in the squad this season, most notably prop Marcel van der Merwe who will add a bit of steel to the pack. The club’s highly rated academy system continues to unearth outstanding players with home-grown products Ben Atkins, Ben Donnell, Izzy Moore-Aiono Caolan Englefield and Chunya Munga all promoted to the first team squad this season. Newcastle Falcons got off to a flying start last season, winning their opening three games, but had faded to a 10th place finish by the season's conclusion. There were some major highpoints during the campaign – most notably the 25-22 win over eventual champions Harlequins in February – but inconsistency left Dean Richards' team near the bottom of the table. The squad has a few notable new arrivals for the coming season, including Harlequins pair Mike Brown and Nathan Earle, two players who are sure to have a major influence over the next eight months. Up-front, George Merrick and Richard Palframan join from Worcester Warriors to shore up an already effective Newcastle pack.

Another Falcons player to watch out for this season is Adam Radwan who marked his England debut over the summer with a hattrick against Canada. One of the fastest wingers in the British game and with a sidestep off both feet, Radwan is sure to make life very uncomfortable for opponents in the wide channels this season. Northampton Saints finished in fifth place last term, all too often putting in excellent performances but finding themselves on the end of a negative result at the final whistle. They will be aiming to rectify that failing this time around but will have to do that without a number of key men, including former All Black prop Owen Franks and utility back Harry Mallinder. However, they have signed the South African duo of Juarno Augustus (No.8) and Courtnall Skosan, the latter having won 12 Springbok caps on the wing and could be contenders for a top-four finish. Wasps, beaten finalists in 2020, finished in eight place in 2020/21 with just nine wins to their credit during the season compared to 13 defeats. On their day, the Coventry-based side demonstrated that they were well capable of playing a high-tempo game which few opponents could live with – witness their victories against Bristol Bears (23-20) and

Exeter Chiefs (34-5) – and will aim to deliver such performances on a more regular basis Helping them in that cause will be new signings, All Black second row Vaea Fifita and Springbok scrum-half Francois Hougaard, both highly experienced players who will add much to the Wasps’ squad this season. Worcester Warriors finished rock bottom in the table last season, having recorded just four wins during the campaign, but live to fight another day in the Premiership after the league was expanded to 13 teams for 2021/22 due to the pandemic. The Midlands side have certainly not let that disappointing season dent their lofty ambitions with the result that they have made some major investments in their playing squad. Indeed, two 2021 Test Lions will be plying their trade at Sixways this season in the heavyweight figures of winger Duhan van der Merwe and prop Rory Sutherland, the pair joining from Edinburgh. Other notable arrivals include scrum-halves Willi Heinz and Will Chudley and Welsh international hooker Scott Baldwin as the Warriors look to improve on their standings over the next two seasons without the threat of relegation hovering over them. It's certainly a fascinating season in prospect and BT Sport will have exclusively live coverage of all the key ties throughout the coming campaign. Fans will also be looking forward to the return of the weekly ‘Rugby Tonight’ magazine programme which will be broadcast in its usual midweek slot. Each of the teams will have two ‘bye’ weeks during the season

8 CLUB RUGBY

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GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP

Gallagher Premiership rugby fixtures The new season gets underway on Friday, September 17 with an unmissable tie between Bristol Bears and Saracens at Ashton Gate. ROUND 1 Fri 17 Sep Sat 18 Sep Sat 18 Sep Sat 18 Sep Sat 18 Sep Sun 19 Sep ROUND 2 Fri 24 Sep Sat 25 Sep Sat 25 Sep Sat 25 Sep Sat 25 Sep Sun 26 Sep ROUND 3 Fri 1 Oct Sat 2 Oct Sat 2 Oct Sat 2 Oct Sat 2 Oct Sun 3 Oct ROUND 4 Fri 8 Oct Sat 9 Oct Sat 9 Oct Sat 9 Oct Sat 9 Oct Sun 10 Oct ROUND 5 Fri 15 Oct Sat 16 Oct Sat 16 Oct Sat 16 Oct Sun 17 Oct Sun 17 Oct

19.45 15.00 15.00 15.00 17.00 15.00

Bristol Bears Leicester Tigers Northampton Saints Worcester Warriors Sale Sharks Newcastle Falcons

v v v v v v

Saracens Exeter Chiefs Gloucester Rugby London Irish Bath Rugby Harlequins

19.45 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00

Gloucester Rugby Bath Rugby Exeter Chiefs Harlequins Wasps London Irish

v v v v v v

Leicester Tigers Newcastle Falcons Northampton Saints Worcester Warriors Bristol Bears Sale Sharks

19.45 14.00 15.00 15.00 17.00 15.00

Bristol Bears Northampton Saints Leicester Tigers Newcastle Falcons Worcester Warriors Sale Sharks

v v v v v v

Bath Rugby London Irish Saracens Wasps Gloucester Rugby Exeter Chiefs

19.45 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00

Harlequins Exeter Chiefs Gloucester Rugby London Irish Saracens Wasps

v v v v v v

Bristol Bears Worcester Warriors Sale Sharks Leicester Tigers Newcastle Falcons Northampton Saints

19.45 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00

Sale Sharks Newcastle Falcons Wasps Worcester Warriors Bath Rugby London Irish

v v v v v v

Harlequins Bristol Bears Exeter Chiefs Leicester Tigers Saracens Gloucester Rugby

10 CLUB RUGBY

ROUND 6 Fri 22 Oct 19.45 Sat 23 Oct 15.00 Sat 23 Oct 15.00 Sat 23 Oct 15.00 Sat 23 Oct 15.00 Sun 24 Oct 15.00 ROUND 7 Fri 29 Oct 19.45 Sat 30 Oct 15.00 Sat 30 Oct 15.00 Sat 30 Oct 15.00 Sat 30 Oct 15.00 Sun 31 Oct 15.00 ROUND 8 Fri 5 Nov 19.45 Sat 6 Nov 15.00 Sat 6 Nov 15.00 Sat 6 Nov 17.00 Sat 6 Nov 17.30 Sun 7 Nov 16.30 ROUND 9 Fri 26 Nov 19.45 Fri 26 Nov 19.45 Fri 26 Nov 19.45 Fri 26 Nov 19.45 Sat 27 Nov 15.00 Sun 29 Nov 15.00 ROUND 10 Fri 3 Dec 19.45 Sat 4 Dec 15.00 Sat 4 Dec 15.00 Sat 4 Dec 15.00 Sat 4 Dec 15.00 Sun 5 Dec 15.00

Northampton Saints Exeter Chiefs Gloucester Rugby Harlequins Leicester Tigers Saracens

v v v v v v

Worcester Warriors London Irish Newcastle Falcons Bath Rugby Sale Sharks Wasps

Gloucester Rugby Bath Rugby London Irish Northampton Saints Worcester Warriors Harlequins

v v v v v v

Exeter Chiefs Wasps Bristol Bears Leicester Tigers Sale Sharks Saracens

Leicester Tigers Bristol Bears Saracens Sale Sharks Exeter Chiefs Wasps

v v v v v v

Bath Rugby Worcester Warriors London Irish Northampton Saints Newcastle Falcons Harlequins

Bath Rugby Bristol Bears Newcastle Falcons Wasps Harlequins Saracens

v v v v v v

Exeter Chiefs Northampton Saints Worcester Warriors Gloucester Rugby London Irish Sale Sharks

Gloucester Rugby Exeter Chiefs London Irish Northampton Saints Worcester Warriors Leicester Tigers

v v v v v v

Bristol Bears Saracens Newcastle Falcons Bath Rugby Wasps Harlequins

ROUND 11 26/27 Dec 26/27 Dec 26/27 Dec 26/27 Dec 26/27 Dec 26/27 Dec ROUND 12 31 Dec /01/02 Jan 31 Dec /01/02 Jan 31 Dec /01/02 Jan 31 Dec /01/02 Jan 31 Dec /01/02 Jan 31 Dec /01/02 Jan ROUND 13 07/08/09 Jan 07/08/09 Jan 07/08/09 Jan 07/08/09 Jan 07/08/09 Jan 07/08/09 Jan ROUND 14

Bath Rugby Bristol Bears Harlequins Newcastle Falcons Saracens Wasps

v v v v v v

Gloucester Rugby Leicester Tigers Northampton Saints Sale Sharks Worcester Warriors London Irish

Exeter Chiefs Gloucester Rugby Leicester Tigers London Irish Northampton Saints Sale Sharks

v v v v v v

Bristol Bears Harlequins Newcastle Falcons Bath Rugby Saracens Wasps

Bath Rugby Bristol Bears Harlequins Newcastle Falcons Saracens Wasps

v v v v v v

Worcester Warriors Sale Sharks Exeter Chiefs Northampton Saints Gloucester Rugby Leicester Tigers

28/29/30 Jan 28/29/30 Jan 28/29/30 Jan 28/29/30 Jan 28/29/30 Jan 28/29/30 Jan ROUND 15 04/05/06 Feb 04/05/06 Feb 04/05/06 Feb 04/05/06 Feb 04/05/06 Feb

Bath Rugby London Irish Newcastle Falcons Sale Sharks Wasps Worcester Warriors

v v v v v v

Harlequins Exeter Chiefs Gloucester Rugby Leicester Tigers Saracens Northampton Saints

Bath Rugby Exeter Chiefs Gloucester Rugby Harlequins Leicester Tigers

v v v v v

Newcastle Falcons Wasps London Irish Sale Sharks Worcester Warriors

04/05/06 Feb ROUND 16 11/12/13 Feb 11/12/13 Feb 11/12/13 Feb 11/12/13 Feb 11/12/13 Feb 11/12/13 Feb ROUND 17 18/19/20 Feb 18/19/20 Feb 18/19/20 Feb 18/19/20 Feb 18/19/20 Feb 18/19/20 Feb ROUND 18 25/26/27 Feb 25/26/27 Feb 25/26/27 Feb 25/26/27 Feb 25/26/27 Feb 25/26/27 Feb ROUND 19 04/05/06 Mar 04/05/06 Mar 04/05/06 Mar

Saracens

Bath Rugby

Bristol Bears Exeter Chiefs Leicester Tigers Sale Sharks Saracens Wasps

v v v v v v

London Irish Gloucester Rugby Northampton Saints Worcester Warriors Harlequins Bath Rugby

Bath Rugby Harlequins London Irish Newcastle Falcons Northampton Saints Worcester Warriors

v v v v v v

Leicester Tigers Wasps Saracens Exeter Chiefs Sale Sharks Bristol Bears

Bristol Bears Leicester Tigers Newcastle Falcons Northampton Saints Sale Sharks Worcester Warriors

v v v v v v

Wasps Gloucester Rugby Bath Rugby Exeter Chiefs London Irish Harlequins

Bath Rugby Exeter Chiefs Gloucester Rugby

v v v

Bristol Bears Sale Sharks Northampton Saints

04/05/06 Mar 04/05/06 Mar 04/05/06 Mar ROUND 20 11/12/13 Mar 11/12/13 Mar 11/12/13 Mar 11/12/13 Mar 11/12/13 Mar 11/12/13 Mar ROUND 21 25/26/27 Mar 25/26/27 Mar 25/26/27 Mar 25/26/27 Mar 25/26/27 Mar 25/26/27 Mar ROUND 22 01/02/03 Apr 01/02/03 Apr 01/02/03 Apr 01/02/03 Apr

Harlequins London Irish Saracens

v v v

Newcastle Falcons Worcester Warriors Leicester Tigers

Bristol Bears Leicester Tigers Newcastle Falcons Northampton Saints Sale Sharks Worcester Warriors

v v v v v v

Harlequins London Irish Saracens Wasps Gloucester Rugby Exeter Chiefs

Bath Rugby Exeter Chiefs Gloucester Rugby London Irish Saracens Wasps

v v v v v v

Sale Sharks Leicester Tigers Worcester Warriors Northampton Saints Bristol Bears Newcastle Falcons

Exeter Chiefs Gloucester Rugby London Irish Northampton Saints

v v v v

Bath Rugby Wasps Harlequins Bristol Bears

01/02/03 Apr 01/02/03 Apr ROUND 23 22/23/24 Apr 22/23/24 Apr 22/23/24 Apr 22/23/24 Apr 22/23/24 Apr 22/23/24 Apr ROUND 24 19/30/31 Apr 19/30/31 Apr

Sale Sharks Worcester Warriors

v v

Saracens Newcastle Falcons

Bath Rugby Bristol Bears Harlequins Newcastle Falcons Saracens Wasps

v v v v v v

Northampton Saints Gloucester Rugby Leicester Tigers London Irish Exeter Chiefs Worcester Warriors

Gloucester Rugby Leicester Tigers

v v

Bath Rugby Bristol Bears

19/30/31 Apr 19/30/31 Apr 19/30/31 Apr 19/30/31 Apr ROUND 25 20/21/22 May 20/21/22 May 20/21/22 May 20/21/22 May 20/21/22 May 20/21/22 May ROUND 26 Sat 4 Jun TBC Sat 4 Jun TBC Sat 4 Jun TBC Sat 4 Jun TBC Sat 4 Jun TBC Sat 4 Jun TBC

London Irish Northampton Saints Sale Sharks Worcester Warriors

v v v v

Wasps Harlequins Newcastle Falcons Saracens

Bath Rugby Bristol Bears Harlequins Newcastle Falcons Saracens Wasps

v v v v v v

London Irish Exeter Chiefs Gloucester Rugby Leicester Tigers Northampton Saints Sale Sharks

Exeter Chiefs Gloucester Rugby Leicester Tigers Northampton Saints Sale Sharks Worcester Warriors

v v v v v v

Harlequins Saracens Wasps Newcastle Falcons Bristol Bears Bath Rugby

SEMI-FINAL Sat 11 Jun TBC

FINAL Sat 18 Jun TBC

CLUB RUGBY 11

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NEWS SPECIAL

Moving back to normal Clubland is on the move as we see them filled with members and guests – maybe watching a big sporting event or enjoying a barbecue. But how far down the ‘back to normal’ road are we really? Ashely Cairns reports.

lubland always presents an extensive programme of social events and entertainments. Now, as members enjoy getting back into their local club, most activities are fully booked, which is great news for clubs (and do spare a thought for the artists who may not have performed for 18-months!). The UK holiday scene is also booming and parts of the UK are virtually full to bursting. The opportunities are coming back. But are we seeing this in the data? I’m asking the following three questions and will share the findings and observations in this article: • Are we back to normal? • How much are we selling? • What products are members and guests going for? Are we back to normal? Well, on the first question it is far too premature to talk of being back to normal. Where we are

right now is opening tentatively. The tentative description applies to licensees/stewards, committees and members/customers. Now, a closer scrutiny of the trade and how it is different to where we were. The wearing of masks is still highly prevalent amongst staff. Sanitisation regimes are significantly more prominent than existed pre-COVID-19. On-line booking is almost mandatory and lastly, among my four bigger observations, is that table service has moved forward in execution and frequently being retained. What this of course means, is that our members have some newer expectations for ‘normal’. It appears this relates to a large proportion of consumers. This may help the trade with its approach to general hygiene. Time will tell, but I certainly see that premises are airier and tidier. That can only help raise hygiene in the customer hierarchy of needs to a ‘must do well’ in licensed premises to attain their approval. From general research of consumers, the latest esti-

mates from a CGA Strategy Pulse Survey show that, for example, 69% of ‘nightclub-goers’ are re-engaging by hitting the dance floor. Across the whole of the market, that week commonly called ‘Freedom Day’ in England, data was showing that 73% of out of home customers have been back to the on trade. Behind this, the frequency of going-out is also down as a proportion of customers having reduced their visits. The research continues to indicate that younger persons are more comfortable going out compared to the older age group where there is a higher level of caution. The one positive is that consumers have an increased tendency to stay closer to home. Briefly, it looks like there are actually less customers at present and they are visiting less but staying local. There is, in the last element, that opportunity for some in Clubland to perhaps increase either their customer base or existing customers visit frequency. That is perhaps a challenge but in the long-run new customers are a must so go for it!

CLUB RUGBY 15

NEWS SPECIAL How much are we selling? The trade has opened up progressively since midMay, but still was constrained during that period with COVID-19 advice and regulations. Into lateJuly early-August we reached what resembled preCOVID-19 normal trading. Compare what members and staff had to do in, say, May 2021 to current and there are several important differences from the earlier time. These included elements such as: trading times being tighter; requirements in place to register a customer; asking them to wait to be seated and, lastly, only able to serve them at a table. All of those impositions made the on trade more stilted and slowed it down. If this was a plan, it seemed to work as has been seen in visit data (numbers of premises trading and volume of drink sold). To measure sales performance, total volumes have been converted to an all drinks count. This is a ‘standard drink serve’ and converts volume into standard drinks (i.e. a spirit is converted into a 25ml serve; a glass of wine to a 175ml glass and draught beer into a pint). Earliest signs from July’s data showed that trade is coming back, but there is still a way to go. Across the quarter, sales were down in all categories by -44% compared to same quarter in 2019, slightly worse when compared to 2018 at -46%. Over a 4-week period (19 June – 17 July) comparisons improved markedly as can be seen here, but there is a way to go until we may see parity.

Pd7 2021 17/7/21 -26.0%

All drinks volumes Pd6 2021 Pd5 2021 19/6/21 22/5/21 -35.9% -71.1%

That is a stark message. However, at this point there were still have restrictions in Wales and Scotland as well as other premises choosing not to open at that point. What products are customers going for? The earliest sales data is difficult to read (as outlined above) but the products side is perhaps a little easier to see in so far as it is the ‘Share of Drinks’ looked at by mix. The drinks range covered is Beer, Cider, Spirits, Wines and Soft Drinks. The analysis covered the 12 weeks up to mid-July 2021 and the relative measure used value sales across the Sports & Social Club channel. The biggest products categories still retain their dominance and so it can be seen that Draught Standard and Premium Lager are the two most important product categories, accounting for 35% of sales. This is in line with 2019 and 2018 levels. The next two are the same, although have swapped the historic positions as Draught Standard Ciders moved up to third spot over Keg Ales. I should point out that the latest data includes the late-Spring heat wave that certainly benefits the Cider category. It is quite possible that in the midst of the pandemic there was much more volatility and lower level of sales that these suffered

16 CLUB RUGBY

as shown in the chart below. Notably in this period we see that Cask rose to the 3rd largest product category. It is most likely that Cask, by virtue of its uniqueness, was a favourite drink especially in the takeaway format. Cask has dropped down to the seventh spot in 2021. Wine was 5th before and is 4th now. In the pandemic it dropped to 9th, but of course it was readily available via off sale, so less likely to have benefited during that most restrictive period. The rise up the sales value table of what are collectively called Non Cream Liqueurs, then add to this observation similar rises in draught Cola, plus rises for Mixers, Juices, Sparkling Wine (not

shown in chart) of the elements that form the cocktail. It is widely documented that cocktails are a growing serve type and that is an opportunity for Clubland. Collectively the ten product categories that are shown accounted for 70% of total sales value. This is a very similar level to the previous years of 2019 and 2018. As one can see there is a shift though in the categories at present. The hard to gauge element is as suggested above that the demand for cocktails or perhaps simpler established mixed spirits drinks is the upward trend in Clubland as it appears to be in other channels.

FESTIVAL OF CLUBS 2021

An invitation to previous Club Awards Finalists and Winners Dear Club Colleague, Your two free tickets for the Festival of Clubs As a previous Club Awards finalist we’re inviting you and a colleague to join us as our guests to the inaugural Festival of Clubs and to a night of celebration - the 2021 Club Awards Celebratory Dinner. The dinner takes place on Thursday, November 25, 2021 at Doncaster Racecourse. We’d love you to be there. This is the time to applaud all of our past finalists and winners who have come through a torrid time together. All clubs will be presented with a Certificate of Recognition on stage by our host, with live streaming and images posted online for easy access for the club and your members. If you’re able to come earlier in the day, other activities include our new business-building trade show Club Business 2021 and the annual Beer Festival. Our Raceday then takes place the next day on Friday, November 26 with complimentary tickets. In short, we do hope that you’ll be able to join us for an action-packed Festival of Clubs as we celebrate Clubland in all its shapes and sizes. With very kind regards and hope to hear from you soon.

Sean, Caroline, Cindy, Angie, Justin, The Festival of Clubs Team PS: Please complete the form overleaf so we can reserve your complimentary tickets.

clubmirror May 2021

AT THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY

CLUBHOUSE EUROPE

ISSUE 23

CLUBFOOTBALL JUNE 2021

www.clubfootball.org.uk

Cheers! What’s new as clubs throw open their doors Plus: Football Special HQ BUILDING THE BUSINESS NEW S SPECIAL THE ROLE OF TECHNOL OGY

Reaching out via Social Media? Time to shine – page 20

CMAE news – CMAE partners with Golf Saudi European Conference – hailed a virtual success HQ Building the Business – protecting the bottom line CCM Success – testimonials from across the globe

Club Journal June 2021

The magazine for all CIU members

75p

Union President salutes hard work of clubs as June 21 heralds return to normal conditions

Calling club footballers! Time to enter the 2021 BT Sport Pub Cup U E F A E U RO 2020 S PE CI AL • F E S TI VA L O F C L UB S • C L UB T E CHNO L O GY

Ahead of June 21, when club life is set to return to normal with the removal of all Coronavirus restrictions, Union President George Smith has paid tribute to the hard work and commitment of club members across the country who have steered their venues through 15 months of major disruption. “It’s a real testament to the calibre of officials running CIU clubs throughout the country that they have managed to battle through this dark time and come out the other side in such a strong position. “During the pandemic, when the country was put into lockdown and our clubs were forced to shut their doors, many of our clubs instantly sprang into action to work alongside local community organisations to help vulnerable people in their area. “As you will have read multiple times in the pages of the Club Journal over the past year, many of our clubs became food distribution centres and enlisted their members to deliver vital food packages to those sheltering from the virus who perhaps did not have close family and friends to rely on for supplies. “In addition, our clubs have been used as COVID testing stations and even, in some cases, vaccination centres, as the UK has fought back against the virus. “Against this backdrop, clubs – when allowed to open between lockdowns – have also had to adapt their trading conditions to meet the Government restrictions, investing significant club funds into COVID security measures in order to keep

Union President George Smith

their members safe.” Mr Smith welcomed the imminent end of restrictions which will allow club members to meet and enjoy themselves under normal conditions. “The finances of many of our clubs are very finely balanced,” he said. “Social distancing measures, reduced capacity and table serviceonly restrictions put a major dent in the ability of clubs to meet the costs of being open. “For example, many clubs rely on vital income from hiring out function rooms for private parties but that source of income has been missing since the start of the first lockdown and will only return after the restrictions end on June 21. “It has been very heartening to see members once again flocking back into their clubs since inside service returned on May 17 and that sense of optimism can only grow as the restrictions fall away in the coming weeks.

“Clubs have been very grateful for the Government’s financial support that has come their way during the pandemic in the form of grants and loans. “It’s very important that, going forward, the Government recognises how vital non-profit making members’ clubs are to their local communities, including providing social fellowship to otherwise isolated people, and give us the chance to recover fully. “As a Union, we will continue to press the Government at the highest level on the key issues which affect our member clubs’ ability to serve their members and local communities and ensure that our member clubs’ collective voice is heard by the powers-that-be.” For a feature on how clubs are approaching reopening, see pages 10-12

inside... Editor’s Letter . . . . . . . . . 2 Club News . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Club of the Month . . . . 14 HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . 29

www.wmciu.org.uk

CLUB RUGBY 17

FESTIVAL OF CLUBS 2021

Introducing the 2021 Club Business Trade Show

LET THE COUNTDOWN BEGIN!

FESTIVAL OF CLUBS 2021 Indication of Ticket Requirements • CELEBRATORY GALA DINNER • HAIL THE ALE • CLUB BUSINESS TRADE SHOW 2021 Please note (and with the pandemic in mind) should you require extra paid-for tickets, be assured that all monies will be refunded should the event be unable to take place for any reason.

Join us and clubs from around the country as we come together at the club event of the year – the inaugural Festival of Clubs from the team at Club Rugby and the Club Awards. Just complete this form to confirm your two FREE tickets, any extra ticket requirements, or just email us at info@clubmirror.com. Name: __________________________________________ Job title/role: ________________________________________ Club Name: _________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________ _______________________________________________ ____________________________ Post code: _____________ CONTACT DETAILS: Please contact me via:

n n n n n

Email – Email: _____________________________________ Text – Mobile no: ___________________________________ Post – (as above)

PLEASE PRE-REGISTER ME/MY CLUB FOR (PLEASE TICK APPROPRIATE): One FREE ticket Two FREE tickets

PLEASE PRE-REGISTER ME/MY CLUB FOR THE FOLLOWING ‘NO-COMMITMENT’ INDICATION OF TICKET REQUIREMENTS’ n (State number) .......... ticket/tickets @£66 (£55+VAT)

n n

1 x Table of 10 (including 2 x free tickets) @ £528 (£440 + VAT) Other (please state) ..........................................................................................................................

I AM INTERESTED IN ATTENDING THE FOLLOWING EVENTS ON THE SAME DAY n Hail the Ale Beer FestivAL

JOIN US!

Club Business 2021

We look forward to hearing from you!

Festival of Clubs, ACP, 59-60 Thames Street, Windsor SL4 1TX e. info@clubmirror.com t. 01753 272022 18 CLUB RUGBY

FESTIVAL OF CLUBS 2021

The Festival of Clubs November 25-26, 2021 With events now back on the hospitality agenda, the Festival of Clubs promises to be an important new addition to Clubland’s calendar. See you there? he Festival of Clubs is a series of events, from trade shows to celebratory dinners and business-building ideas, all designed to welcome back Clubland in a safe, fun, free and invaluable two-day event, all built on the ever popular Club Awards and annual Beer Festival. The Festival brings together clubs, associations and suppliers, all keen to network, celebrate and join together to help each other bounce back from the lates, long lockdown.

THE STORY SO FAR The Club Awards, owned and run by sister title Club Mirror, are the only awards serving the UK’s buoyant club sector. The eagerly awaited annual event, launched to great acclaim back in 1992, continues to represent an exclusive, rare opportunity to bring together the independent club sector and suppliers at one venue.

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FESTIVAL OF CLUBS 2021

AND NOW IN 2021 Due to Coronavirus, the 2020 Club Awards were unable to take place. Throughout the pandemic, clubs across the land were busy working within their communities, from setting up food banks to acting as vaccination centres. At the same time, they have been refurbishing and revamping their clubs as they prepared for the long-awaited reopening. Our annual event in 2021 is therefore a celebration of clubs across the land. EVENTS & ACTIVITIES INCLUDE • Club Awards Celebratory Dinner • Club Business 2021 • Supplier Awards • Club Associations Lunch • Hospitality Social Media Awards • Club Act of The Year • Beer Festival (Other activities in the pipeline to be announced.)

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Club Business 2021 The inaugural Club Business Trade Show & Exhibition will see clubs and club-supporting suppliers seizing the opportunity to network with their peers, club associations and industry experts, all with the aim of building club business, protecting the bottom line and ensuring that members can enjoy the best possible experience as they come back to their favourite club. The show takes place on Day 1 of the first-ever Festival of Clubs, where clubs and suppliers can share news, swap views and discuss latest updates on what’s on the market in an infomal setting.

CARE TO JOIN US? Whether you’d like to visit Club Business 2021 or celebrate in style at the celebratory dinner, just drop the team at sister title Club Mirror a line and we’ll book you in. e. info@clubmirror.co.uk t.+44 (0) 1753 272022 www.clubmirror.com

CLUB RUGBY 21

SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

CLUB SU

YEAR HE

IER OF L T PP

MIN

N O AT I

Supplier of the Year Awards Clubs are at the top of their game when it comes to working with suppliers and favourite club brands. So which brands are truly pulling their weight? And which brands are consistently proving their worth at the club bar? Time to nominate! And as a thank you, your details will be entered in to a Free Prize Draw with the chance to win £100 for your club. Name: ________________________________________________________________________________ Club name: _____________________________________________________________________________ Your email: _____________________________________________________________________________ Tel: ___________________________________ SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS My top supplier/s (up to 3) are: 1 _________________________

2 __________________________ 3 __________________________

My top drinks brand/brands (up to 5) at the bar are: 1__________________________ 2 ___________________________ 3 __________________________ 4 __________________________ 5 ___________________________ The most highly nominated suppliers and brands will be recognised during the Festival of Clubs at Doncaster Racecourse on 25 November, 2021. How to nominate: You can send in your nominations by email to caroline@alchemymedia.co.uk with the subject line ‘Supplier of The Year Nominations’. Alternatively, cut out this form and post to: ACP/Supplier of the Year Awards, 59-60 Thames Street, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 1TX Deadline: 15 October, 2021 22 CLUB RUGBY

Marston’s Beer Company – now the Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company – was presented with a Special Award at the last pre-Covid Club Awards Dinner.

CLUB RUGBY 23

HQ BUILDING THE BUSINESS

Coronavirus isn’t going away anytime soon it seems, so in this issue we focus on how to keep up the good work when it comes to ensuring that members feel comfortable and safe at the club. On the topic of safety, we also highlight some of the most prevalent frauds and scams which have emerged during the pandemic, and examine how to avoid them. Plus: Five food trends and how they are shaping new safety requirements.

Maintaining Coronavirus safety standards HQ BUILDING THE BUSINESS is here to help clubs come out of the Coronavirus pandemic in fighting fit shape. Take a look at just some of these key products and services, all designed to ensure a Covid-safe environment.

rom utilities and energy savings to procurement and financial services, HQ BUILDING THE BUSINESS is here to help clubs come out of the Coronavirus pandemic in the best possible shape. This issue the focus is on maintaining safety for all levels of post-lockdown stages,. By working with supporting partners and suppliers, this complimentary service for readers saves time and resources, freeing club officials to run the important bits of club life – looking after members. Sanitiser products and Personnel Protective Equipment Sanitiser products and Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) are available to readers with an additional 10% saving on first orders for products such as: • Face masks • Safety visors • Detergents, hand and cleaning • Disposable gloves • Dispensers Quote HQWELCOME10 on your first order. Deep cleaning assistance Technicians will disinfect areas and objects that pose a threat of cross contamination using Steri-7. Steri-7 is a high-level surface disinfectant, killing up to 99.99% of a broad range of pathogens within seconds of contact. The areas disinfected will be all touchpoints in club premises, such as door handles, light switches, tales, seat arms and kitchen surfaces etc to help minimise the risk of microbial transfer. Additional ultra-low volume (ULV) disinfection fogging can be used when required for the treatment of large areas in a short space of time as the small droplets of the disinfectant fog settle underneath, on top of and on the sides of many objects and inaccessible areas to help make your club clean and safe. Fevercam systems and equipment

24 CLUB RUGBY

single camera system on the market today. It is UK developed and ISO27001 Certified. Alcohol based sanitiser room bombs This product sanitises a room in less than one hour, killing germs making the room virus free and at the same time smelling fresh. You can see the demonstration video at this link. Sanitiser Room Bombs, suitable for rooms up to approximately 12 m2 per single use can.£117.60 + vat per case of 12 cans + £10 delivery UK wide. To order or receive a product spec sheet please contact 07495893993 or email enquiries@hqbuildingthebsuiness.com.

Manage the temperature of everyone before entering the club without the need for direct human contact, protecting staff, members and volunteers. • The technology medically measures people’s temperature (with facial recognition) • Camera units can be used for high or low people volume, able to measure multiple faces simultaneously • Ideal for unmanned receptions or staff entrances with real time alerts • Can integrate access control systems • Can detect the presence of face masks • Cloud based dashboard for ease of access and control The company can also work with existing club camera systems and can add its propriety software to enable ‘Facial recognition’ enabled and ‘temperature’. Enabled, links are then added back into the existing systems for monitoring and compliance. Cameras can be purchased on a supply only basis. Fevercam is one of the most sophisticated multi or

MORE INFORMATION With no costs involved, HQ BUILDING THE BUSINESS is committed to helping clubs build their business, offering expert advice, comparative energy sites and access to discounts at club-supporting suppliers. e. enquiries@hqbuildingthebusiness.com t. Call the team on 07495 893 993 Services include: Covid-safety Products and Solutions, Energy Management & Compliance, Office supplies, Telecoms, IT & digital support, Waste Management, Fire Equipment & Maintenance, Boiler & Air-conditioning Replacement & Maintenance, Renewable Technologies, Health & Safety, HR, Transaction Handling, Food & Drink, Business Insurance, ANPR / Parking Facilities, Refurbishment & LED Projects.

CLUB RUGBY 25

HQ BUILDING THE BUSINESS

Five food trends and how they are shaping new safety requirements

Kirstie Jones, environmental health expert at Navitas Safety, discusses food trends which are likely to become part and parcel of club life thanks to the pandemic.

he pandemic has caused a fundamental reset in human behaviour. New food and beverage requirements have been shaped for the longterm. Here are five food-related trends which will need due consideration in order to deliver a service that members will now expect.

to consider, not just for 2021, but for the future, too. Whilst this may not seem a cause for concern in terms of hygiene, it can pose a greater risk of crosscontamination. Each dish should not be cooked in the same oils for instance or ingredients stored in the same area of the fridge. To reduce and prevent this from happening, and to ensure there are no mix-ups, all meat, vegan, and vegetarian dishes should be separated within each order. Ideally, any allergen, vegan or vegetarian dishes should be delivered completely individually. However, where this isn’t possible, these orders should be placed on top and must be double wrapped, with all other orders underneath.

1. A positive food safety culture Food safety culture is the way in which an organisation values their food safety, and it is vital that these values are shared by both management and employees. Businesses with a strong and positive food safety culture that safe food is essential and a commitment. Clubs should actively consider presenting accreditations such as a Covid19 certification to help members feel safe. 2. Takeaway packaging Takeaway packaging must ensure it has clear allergen labels. Each container must state the exact name of the dish and its contents and should be clear and readable. Although this is particularly important when serving consumers with allergies, this must be done at all times. As of October 2021, the UK Food Information Amendment will come into force, whereby data labelling is key. Pre-packed for direct sale products must be labelled with a description of the item, detailing the full ingredients listing. As such, any of the 14 key allergens must also be highlighted and be clear to see. Clear allergen labelling also provides consumers with confidence as well as traceability and transparency when it comes to the business selling the item. As well as this, to aid hygiene and cleanliness, all food should be decanted into strong and sturdy lidded containers that will not spill during transportation. Not only will this prevent mess, but it also reduces the possibility of contamination between foods. Although takeaway services appear much more casual, clubs must work to the same standard as they would in a restaurant. With regular hand washing and limited contact between foods, food containers and staff, this will prevent the spread of viruses, infection, and cross-contamination.

26 CLUB RUGBY

With the coronavirus, it has been bought to the attention of everyone that viruses can remain on surfaces for up to 72 hours, proving the importance of regular cleaning and disinfecting. Public Health England also announced the introduction of calorie and salt reduction targets for takeaway and eating out businesses, which will see a further need for clear labelling. 3. Connected consumers and online ordering and booking For clubs using online ordering services, all allergy information must be available at the point of selection. To support this, customisable menus, or the ability to order online via an app can improve accuracy, efficiency and speed. As expected, following the coronavirus pandemic, the on trade is now offering a contact-free service, utilising the rise in digitisation with the use of online menus and the ability to order via an app. 4. Eco-conscious consuming via veganism and vegetarianism With the number of people adopting vegan and vegetarian diets and lifestyles, this is an important trend

5. Sustainability Going digital not only speeds things up for all involved, but it also positively impacts the environment. With more customers and businesses focusing on making sustainable changes to their lives, reducing paper usage and single-use plastic is almost essential. Following the need to digitise and automate, paper-based safety trails are no longer needed, nor relevant. (The average restaurant spends approximately £20 per month, per site, on paperwork printing costs alone.) Embracing sustainable and digital processes would not just benefit the business by reducing costs, but it would also remove unnecessary paper and thus, waste for both the club and the consumer. Clubs should look to invest in innovative digital hardware and software that can record all data in a cloud-based system, eliminating the need for paperwork entirely. An integrated digital system allows businesses to monitor food safety effectively with watertight traceability and accountability, resulting in a reduction in food waste. It isn’t just about materials and going digital, though. Clubs with a food business need to work hard to ensure less food is being wasted. To do so, this may mean minimising menus (as well as encouraging members to recycle packaging properly and effectively when using a takeaway service). • www.navitas.eu.com

Fraud - five hot scams and how to avoid them

oronavirus has given fraudsters more opportunities than ever to cheat consumers out of their money, a well-known example being text messages claiming to be from the NHS which informed the recipient that, “we have identified that you are eligible to apply for your vaccine”. Here’s a look at the fraud trends to watch out for. 1. Authorised Push Payments (APP) APP fraud – where fraudsters trick you into forwarding money from your account to theirs – cost consumers more than £207 million in the first half of 2020, according to UK Finance, the trade body representing financial firms. According to experts at GBG, a company that specialises in identity data intelligence, APP is highly effective, trending upwards and may be the biggest threat to consumers in 2021. Gus Tomlinson at GBG explains: “Imagine a fraudster hacks your information and then, when you go to make a significant payment for a deposit, say, you are phoned or emailed by the fraudster who gets you, as a willing victim, to voluntarily transfer the money – but to the wrong destination account. “We always think organisations check the identity of consumers to stop fraud, but it is equally important for consumers to be certain of what they are doing before they take any action.” Homebuyers looking to take advantage of the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) holiday that ends on 31 March should be especially vigilant when moving money. UK Finance advises buyers to always followup on emails asking for personal financial information with a phone call to the alleged senders. 2. Account takeover Account takeover is essentially online identity theft. It involves criminals who pose as you to gain access to one or more of your accounts, and then use that access to carry out unauthorised transactions. For example, a fraudster could get into your current account using stolen credentials and use it to make transfers to other accounts. They may also change your account details to lock you out or cover their tracks, while some criminals will sell access to your account on to other fraudsters. Payment fraud solutions company Sift calls account takeover the ‘fraudster’s weapon of choice’ and says attempts rose 282% between 2019 and 2020. Using biometric security such as Touch ID on Apple’s iPhones or the equivalent fingerprint locks on Android devices can make things more difficult for fraudsters and provide you with a layer of defence against account takeover fraud.

3. New account fraud Like account takeover fraud, criminals will use stolen credentials to open new accounts in your name. For example, a fraudster could get hold of your personal information on the dark web before using it to bypass identity verification checks and open a new loan account. According to American risk-management specialist RSA, almost half (48%) of all fraud involves accounts that are less than 24 hours old. It is important to be extra vigilant with your personal information, whether that be correspondence your put in the bin or data you enter onto a website. Documents should be shredded if possible, and you should check the authenticity of any site before providing personal information. Experts also recommend you take care when posting information on social media, as a skilled fraudster could populate a fake profile using photographs and other details you provide. 4. Transaction fraud This kind of fraud sees fraudsters making purchases with stolen payment information. The information is typically gained via phishing attacks that trick consumers into thinking they’re dealing with a trusted company and willingly sharing the details with a fraudster. With more of our everyday lives playing out online because of coronavirus and stay-at-home orders, transaction fraudsters have more opportunities than ever to con those who let their guards down. The best way to protect against phishing attacks is

to check emails that claim to be from reputable senders carefully. Inspect the URLs behind hyperlinks by hovering over them with your cursor and be suspicious of emails that contain obvious spelling errors. If contacted by phone, never share personal financial information with the caller. Instead, telephone the company using its official contact number to verify the call. 5. Synthetic identity fraud Synthetic identity fraud is sophisticated, relatively new and is the fastest growing financial crime in the United States, according to management consultancy firm McKinsey. It sees criminals creating entirely fictional personas using a blend of personal information stolen from genuine people and invented details to fill out the gaps. For example, a synthetic identity could use your genuine address to pass an organisation’s identity checks, but with an entirely fake name. The fraudster will then use the fake identity to open accounts and carry out transactions. Technically there is ‘no victim’, since the person named on the account doesn’t exist, but the use of your address, for example, could have a harmful effect on your credit file. This kind of fraud is difficult for businesses to detect and prevent, but you can limit your chances of enabling synthetic identity fraud by using strong passwords and biometrics while being vigilant against phishing attempts.

CLUB RUGBY 27

WHIRLWIND TOUR

Clubnews

28 CLUB RUGBY

Here sister title Club Mirror shares just some of its social media activity, past, present and future, providing a window to the Club Awards and a preview of the upcoming Festival of Clubs.

CLUB RUGBY 29

WHIRLWIND TOUR

30 CLUB RUGBY

HOSPITALITY SOCIAL MEDIA AWARDS

Clubland celebrates social media Celebrating the power of social media across Clubland. From tweeters to Instagram addicts, and from web wizards to Facebook fanatics, social media has more than proved its worth during lockdown and beyond.

he Hospitality Social Media Awards (HoSMA) are the only pan- industry awards designed to celebrate licensed outlets of all types and sizes who are using social media to great effect. Social media has been a lifeline for clubs, members and communities during lockdown and the pandemic, and we’ll be recognising clubs for their social media activities during the Festival of Clubs in Doncaster on 25 November, 2021. If you couldn’t be at the last Awards then head over to www.facebook.com/HSMAwards for a flavour of the event, and to see 2019’s finalists then it’s www.hsma.biz/news. And don’t forget our twitter handle – twitter.com/HSMAwards.

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2019 winners

Club Insure’s Jason Cook (left) presents Leicestershire County Cricket Club with the opening category of the 2019 Hospitality Social Media Awards, Sports Club of the Year.

Golf Club of the Year goes to the impressive Formby Golf Club, presented by Bob Williams (centre), Chief Executive of the Golf Club Managers Association.

BT Sport’s Ed Cracknell (centre) presents worthy winners South Shields FC with the 2019 Football Club of the Year trophy.

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS

Canterbury Rugby Club’s Ian Lloyd (right) collects the Rugby Club of the Year trophy from Club Control’s Chris McNally.

Dransfields’ Trevor Roberts (left) congratulates Northern FC on becoming joint winner of the 2019 Community Club of the Year Award.

SUPPORTED BY Wortley Men’s Club celebrate their joint win of Community Club of the Year, collecting their trophy from Trevor Roberts, Dransfields (centre).

CLUB RUGBY 33

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34 CLUB RUGBY

CLASSIFIED

07789 870709

TO ADVERTISE PLEASE CALL REFURBISHMENT The curtain specialist for clubs, schools & theatres

ENERGY

ARE YOU SWITCHED ON WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR ENERGY BILLS? If you’re not switching, you’re not saving... Let Smarter Business do the hard work for you.

Stage Curtains

Large Window Curtains

Room Dividers

Cleaning & Re-flameproofing

Blackout Drapes

Track Repairs & Servicing

For more information, contact us today and quote CLUB to arrange a free site visit to discuss your requirements.

Tel: 01354 677796 • Email: sales@cameocurtains.co.uk

Visit our website: www.cameocurtains.co.uk

We’ll compare quotes in minutes and ﬁnd your club the best energy deal, saving you up to 30% on your energy bills!

Get in touch with an energy expert today on:

01444 220060

t: 01444 220060 e: info@smarterbusiness.co.uk w: www.smarterbusiness.co.uk

REFURBISHMENT

OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT W NE

WHAT The new Greensmaster® eTriFlex Series flagship electric riding greensmowers.

MATTERS Unparalleled, outstanding cut quality, quiet operation, and no onboard hydraulic fluids.

Greensmaster eTriFlex Engine/Generator

Greensmaster eTriFlex Lithium-Ion

MOST Routine compliments from members and improvements to your bottom line!

What Matters Most to You Matters Most to Us. The all-new Greensmaster eTriFlex Series riding greensmowers provide all the innovative features of the original TriFlex and more. The eTriFlex lineup includes a Lithium-Ion powered and an Engine Generator model, with no onboard hydraulic fluid. The new Radius Dependent Speed (RDS™) System, in combination with the Lift-In-Turn cutting unit leveling feature virtually eliminates the effect known as “Triplex-Ring”. This along with many new features provide added versatility, simplified service, and ultimately, more productivity.

Join the conversation

@ToroGolf

LEARN MORE AT TORO.COM

CLUB RUGBY 35

CLASSIFIED

CLUB SERVICES REFURBISHMENT

36 CLUB RUGBY

TO ADVERTISE PLEASE CALL

07789 870709

W NE

WHAT The new Greensmaster® eTriFlex Series flagship electric riding greensmowers.

MATTERS Unparalleled, outstanding cut quality, quiet operation, and no onboard hydraulic fluids.

Greensmaster eTriFlex Engine/Generator

Greensmaster eTriFlex Lithium-Ion

MOST Routine compliments from members and improvements to your bottom line!

Join the conversation

@ToroGolf

LEARN MORE AT TORO.COM

For sports & social clubs, it has to be Higos Welcome back businesses.

With many lockdown restrictions having already begun to ease over the past few weeks, we’re delighted to welcome you all back and rejoice in getting your clubs back to what they do best. At Higos we’re setting our sights firmly on getting to know each and every one of our clients. We love the fact that every one of our clients clubs are unique and we thrive on the challenges and idiosyncrasies of all your insurance needs, no matter how quirky or specialist your need may be.

Wouldn’t life be dull if everyone were the same?

With over 8000 membership organisations in the UK, from sports clubs, social clubs to scout groups, we’ve come to understand that no two businesses are ever exactly alike, so it makes perfect sense that no two insurance policies will be. That’s why we provide bespoke, in house CIU insurance cover that’s flexible and simple. Our knowledgeable, specialist team offer expert, independent advice using in-house underwriting to find cover that matches their precise needs. To make sure you’re not over or under insured, we’re offering our CIU clients a complimentary Rebuild Cost Assessment (RCA) service, so your commercial building is adequately protected.

Our bespoke sports and social clubs insurance includes: Public & Employers liability

Directors & Officers liability

Sports playing surfaces

Money in gaming machines

Legal expenses cover

Personal accident cover

Free rebuild cost assessment

Business Interruption

For independent advice contact our expert team

Call 01458 270 303

See us in branch

For independent advice or a quotation

Find your nearest branch on our website higos.co.uk

Email us

hospitality.portfolio@higos.co.uk

WE LOVE DIFFERENT / HIGOS.CO.UK Higos Insurance Services Ltd is part of Global Risk Partners Limited. Higos Insurance Services Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 302690)

Club Rugby

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