Rugby Blindside Newsletter - Winter 2018 Issue

WINTER 2018 / ISSUE 05

IN THIS ISSUE York RUFC London Welsh RFC Guernsey Raiders Sale FC Rugby And much more...

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Contents PraxisIFM sponsor Guernsey Raiders ....................................................................02 Northwich continue sponsorship with Arnold Clark ....................................................................03 Llanishen RFC build new 3G facility ....................................................................03 Olney Ladies team up with Jackson Waite ....................................................................04 Sale FC Rugby partner with PHIZZ ....................................................................04 York RUFC sponsored by James Burrell ....................................................................05 Camborne RFC finish West Bank work ....................................................................05 Newark RUFC announce new sponsor ....................................................................06 New management at Dings Crusaders RFC ....................................................................06 Leamington RUFC announce Vastec as new sponsor ....................................................................06 Ealing Trailfinders partner with Brunel University ....................................................................07 Hornets RFC donate kit t Tanzania ....................................................................08 London Welsh tie up 3-year deal with Dunne & Dusted ....................................................................09 Brixham RFC progress with new facilities ....................................................................10 Gosport & Fareham - Mitsubishi Kits 4 Clubs ....................................................................10 Leamington RUFC benefit from Cash 4 Clubs ....................................................................11 Pewsey Vale RFC develop club facilities ....................................................................12 News from the professional game ....................................................................13

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PraxisIFM to sponsor Guernsey Raiders

and 18, developing, educating, mentoring and coaching rugby union. PraxisIFM is also proud to be Bronze sponsor of the Academy.

"We wish the senior players every success over the coming season," said Robert Fearis, Managing Director of PraxisIFM Trust in Guernsey. "We are also really pleased to be supporting the Academy with its youth development programme, helping to develop rugby’s core values many of which we as a company share."

Image: Martin Gray

PraxisIFM is supporting the development of rugby in Guernsey during the 2018/9 season.

PraxisIFM's sponsorship of Guernsey Raiders will help the long-term development of rugby in the island in two ways: They are delighted to support the men’s first team – Guernsey Raiders – in their inaugural season in the RFU National 2 South division and the ladies team in their League Championship 2SW division. PraxisIFM is Guernsey Raiders’ match ball sponsor.

The Guernsey Rugby Academy works with boys and girls aged between five

Representing the Club, Chris Gnapp, said: "Guernsey Raiders are delighted to be working with PraxisIFM as match ball sponsor and would like to sincerely thank them for their support of the club. All money raised by sponsorship goes directly back into rugby in the island and without the support from our great sponsors, we couldn’t do what we do. We are really looking forward to building a long term relationship with PraxisIFM and hope to see many of them at Footes Lane supporting the Mens and Ladies sides."

Image: Praxis IFM

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Northwich RUFC continue sponsorship with Arnold Clark Northwich RUFC are delighted to announce that Arnold Clark are once again providing valued support and will be continuing sponsoring the club for the coming season. Underpinning the amazing work being undertaken by the clubs youth development program.

This invaluable support ensures we can continue to thrive and drive the development of the fastest growing area within the club. In the modern era it is the generosity of sponsors which often enables grassroots clubs to grow and develop the next generation of senior players, clubmen and administrators allowing expansion and longevity of many clubs.

Fans of every club love to see a youngster with promise step up to the first team, and Director of Rugby Martin Poste has made no secret of his admiration for the teenagers coming through the club youth academy over the last two seasons. His selections during the opening month, has seen subsequent cameos as substitutes in the Cheshire Vase & debut’s in league fixtures.

There has been time on the field for

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three of this year’s colts, while others impressed in a preseason friendly, last season saw 6 ex-colts in the senior teams.

“They will get more chances, and that’s important – talented colts and juniors need to feel they will be called upon if they have the ability” Martin Poste.

“Arnold Clark having sponsored the Club previously is delighted to support and be involved now with the exciting rise of the youth game at Northwich Rugby Club and the progression of colts to senior players. Its gained remarkable traction since it was launched and it’s great that Arnold Clark are involved.”

Llanishen RFC open new 3G facility Llanishen RFC opened their brand new 3G facility in mid November. This is a community partnership between the club and a local High School and will provide both with state of the art facilities.

Jackson Waite teams up with Olney Ladies

Image: Olney RFC

Olney Ladies RFC, one of the longestrunning and most successful ladies teams in the area, has partnered with estate agents Jackson Waite in a two-year sponsorship deal.

Sponsoring the team’s shirts and shorts, the local estate agent's logo will be visible across the region as Olney Ladies compete in the National Challenge Midlands 1 league against teams in Rugby, Peterborough, Northampton and Lutterworth.

Tim Jackson-Waite, Director of Jackson Waite, (pictured with Jen Micklewright and his daughter Olivia), said: “With the Jackson Waite family operating in Olney and its surrounds and with over three decades of buying and selling experience, I have seen at close hand the impressive rise of women’s rugby in Olney and beyond. The ladies team is a high achieving and friendly outfit and as a father of three girls myself, I’m

delighted we are supporting womens sport in our local community.”

Captain of the ladies side - which was established 26 years ago - Jen Micklewright, said: “We are over the moon to have Jackson Waite’s support for the next two seasons and want to thank Tim and his team for coming on board with Olney Ladies. Women’s rugby is enjoying increasing popularity and it’s fantastic to have the backing of this local independent company as we build on our success from last season.”

Sale FC Rugby partner with PHIZZ Sale FC Rugby have named PHIZZ as an official supplier to the club. PHIZZ is a tablet supplement to aid re-hydration and is certified by Informed Sport.

PHIZZ supplies over 50 professional sports clubs in the UK and abroad.

The Club's Physio team undertook investigations into the product, its ingredients and its benefits. They agreed to use the product during and after travel to away games as well as after training and matches.

As part of the agreement PHIZZ has agreed to invest 25% of the clubs order back into the club."

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York RUFC sponsored

by James Burrell

Image: York RUFC

James Burrell, builders merchant with a branch in York, have featured their support for York RUFC on their newsletter and website.

They have sent a newsletter to all their customers highlighting their sponsorship of York RUFC through the placing of a ground advertising board. The website piece features a photograph of the advertising board with Toby Atkin and Sam Forbes kneeling at each side - shown above.

of the Project 2018 initiative. The second stage will centre around improvements to the Grandstand, changing rooms, showers and physiotherapy facilities. The design plans for these improvements have been professionally drawn up by Envisage Planning and Design Ltd. They are comprehensive and comply with the latest RFU directives and are in compliance with current Health and Safety law. The club is pleased to report that these plans have been received and approved by Cornwall County Council and our own local Camborne Town Council.

Another important additional development, is the confirmation of Heritage Status for the Recreation Ground and the adjacent Park. This means that these two facilities will be held, in perpetuity, as green sites for the people of Camborne. The club can now stride forwards and plan with confidence.

Having a sponsor who broadcasts to their customers just who they're supporting is a great boost to the club and it benefits both James Burrell and York RUFC.

Camborne RFC finish West Bank work The completion of the West Bank Improvements completes the first stage

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Image: Camborne RFC

M Gladwin Electrical Contractors sponsor Newark RUFC M Gladwin Electrical Contractors Ltd have become a Silver Sponsor and team sponsor of our Under 13s for Newark RUFC. Adam Doran, the Club’s Commercial Director, commented: “With the new Clubhouse officially open for business, it is fitting that one of our key suppliers, Gladwin Electrical, have come on board as a Silver Sponsor.

contribution in setting up at Frenchay.

The club is pleased to announce that Emma Wheeler has accepted the position of General Manager effective from November 1st 2018. Emma will be responsible for the whole operation at Shaftesbury Park including retaining oversight of her current role of Bar Manager.

James Hall has also agreed to join the team to assist Emma and Liz Nichols in the day to day running of Shaftesbury Park.

Along with the other suppliers, they have worked tirelessly over the period of the project to produce an end result we are all rightly proud of.

For them to now recognise the value of a continued relationship with the Club speaks volumes of what we can offer local businesses in our brand-new facilities.”

Image: Dings Crusasders RFC - Emma Wheeler

New management at Dings Crusaders RFC

Leamington RUFC welcome Vastec as the clubs latest sponsor

The club has announced that General Manager Ben Lee has left Shaftesbury Park for a post elsewhere. The club wishes him well and thanks him for his

Leamington RUFC are pleased to announce Warwickshire based vehicle specialists, Vastec Ltd as a sponsor of the club and in particular, their Under 13s.

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Ealing Trailfinders and Brunel University launch rugby sports sponsorship programme Academy and train full time with the professional team around their education.

With two 4G pitches, two gyms and a brand new medical area, the home of the Trailfinders has allowed them to become one of the best teams in the country as well as lifting the British and Irish Cup last season.

Image: Ealing Trailfinders

Ealing Trailfinders is delighted to announce a new partnership with Brunel University London, offering a Rugby Scholarship Programme for students.

The partnership means that Ealing Trailfinders will oversee and run the male and female performance rugby programmes at Brunel with a view to them reaching the BUCS Super league in the near future.

The programme will see Ealing Trailfinders introduce their rugby coaches, Strength and Conditioning staff, Analysts and Medical team with the aim to create one of the most comprehensive programmes in the country, allowing students to combine top level rugby with their studies.

Players will have the opportunity to become part of the Ealing TrailfindersÂ

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The students will be incorporated into the club to join the Greene King IPA Championship side. Ealing Trailfinders are currently competing in the second tier of English rugby and have ambitions to gain promotion to the Gallagher Premiership, with this newly formed programme providing a significant boost to their squad in the coming seasons.

A bespoke strength and conditioning programme will be delivered from the professional performance coaches at Ealing Trailfinders, with access to the top class facilities at the club including the gym, rugby pitches and team areas.

The world class facilities that Brunel Rugby Union have means that the players will have two of the best rugby operations in England to use. With an international standard pitch built there for the 2015/16 season, the French rugby team used Brunel as a base for the 2015 RugbyÂ

World Cup. An indoor running track, Sports Centre, Fitness Complex and Spa are all onsite and can be used as well as other benefits including kit and medical support.

Based just outside London within a 10 minute drive of Ealing Trailfinders, Brunel was founded in 1966 and welcomes over 13,000 students from more than 110 countries.

It has over 2,240 sports members across 56 different sports whilst being ranked in the top third of universities worldwide.

Ealing Trailfinders Director of Rugby Ben Ward is hugely excited by the new partnership, which will start in 2019.

“This is an enormous step forward for us as a club and we are extremely passionate about making this scheme a success.

Having looked at what is on offer for the students it is a fantastic programme and everyone is looking forward to getting involved.

We have the opportunity to create something special in both education and rugby terms which is a great combination.

There is currently no BUCS Super League team in London and we want to make this the most comprehensive programme in England to ensure that the team can become as successful as possible.

Mark Burgess, Head of Sport at Brunel,

said: “Our sports teams are a real source of pride for Brunel, and I think partnerships such as this show very clearly how committed we are to supporting students in pursuing their sporting ambitions whilst continuing their education.

“Having access to professional players and coaching staff along with some of the best facilities in the country will take rugby at Brunel to the next level, on and off the field. I’m really looking forward to seeing our teams push on as well as creating a player supply chain for Ealing Trailfinders as they progress in the coming seasons.”

Hornets RFC donate kit to team in Tanzania

Image: Hornets RFC

Hornets RFC have provided some of the old mini's and juniors kits over to a foundation supporting children's sports over in Tanzania, specifically the small town of Luhimba.

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Dunne & Dusted announce 3-year sponsorship of London Welsh Minis professional cleaning specialists they are able to provide a five star service to both large commercial offices and properties as well as councils, schools and domestic clients. Their ‘Clean & Clear service has been a particular hit for Hammersmith & Fulham council where lock changing, intensive cleaning and decoration make for a smooth handover.

Image: London Welsh Rugby Club

Dunne & Dusted have signed on for another 3 years as proud sponsors of the London Welsh Rugby Club Minis groups Minis Chairman Marcus Wuest Dunne & Dusted have signed on for another 3 years as proud sponsors of the London Welsh Rugby Club Minis groups.

Dunne & Dusted have previously sponsored the the Mini teams for three seasons and have committed to continue to be the sleeve sponsor until the end of the 2022 season.

Dunne & Dusted are a professional cleaning services company and through their fully trained, courteous and

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Former Old Deer Park General Manager and Dunne & Dusted Partner, Mick Dunne said: “We are delighted to continue our sponsorship of the Minis. It gives us a real buzz to help support this inspiring group of youngsters learning and playing their rugby and an opportunity to advertise our family business. We wish all the teams every success for the coming season.”

London Welsh Minis Chairman Marcus Wuest responded: 'Having local sponsors continue to support us is fantastic for our Mini groups and we are grateful for the time and energy the family also put in”

Brixham RFC: Progress on the new clubhouse facilities

Image: Brixham RFC

Application for new clubhouse facilities gets Brixham Town Council approval allowing progress to the next stage at Torbay Council It is hoped that with this recent approval, together with previously granted permissions, building works can now commence and finally realise the much needed new entrance, toilet and cellar enhancements to the clubhouse, which will benefit all members, supporters and guests alike.

Key extract from Brixham RFC's Strategic Review and Three Year Development Plan 2017-2020: The clubhouse has been extended twice

since it was built in the 1980s. As the club continues to expand our expectations and those of our guests have increased. The commercial operations (room hire and functions) are constrained by the clubs current facilities. Brixham RFC is a members’ club therefore any surplus is ploughed back into the club other than enough money to ensure they can meet unexpected costs. But the club now needs to generate new funds internally to deliver their plans and show common cause with their funding partners.

The image shows the final look of the atrium entrance that the Club is aiming for, this is scheduled for commencement at a later date. The current works that are scheduled to commence in 2019 are for new ladies toilets and improved cellar space with a new entrance within the existing building footprint, which may also be enclosed and extended by an atrium in the future.

Gosport & Fareham Mitsubishi Kits 4 Clubs Gosport & Fareham RFC took delivery of new rugby balls and contact wedges as part of the Kit 4 Clubs scheme from Mitsubishi Motors in the UK. The initiative, which has been rolled out nationwide, is designed to support grassroots performance with an array of new equipment and kit.

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Leamington Rugby Club benefit from Cash 4 Clubs financial scheme After receiving almost 1,300 entries submitted over three months, Cash 4 Clubs is pleased to award a grant of £1000 to members of Leamington Rugby Club, following its 10 the annual summer campaign, which provides grassroots sports clubs with grants of £500 right up to £1,000.

The charitable scheme was launched in 2008 and is open to all local, grassroots sports clubs in the UK and has provided over £300,000 pounds worth of financial support to local sports clubs to date.

its difficulties. We often have to rely on second-hand equipment and favours from the community, so to receive a grant like this helps us to stand on our own two feet and offer the best support, training and equipment for our members.”

“It’s unbelievable that out of the 1,300 entries, we were chosen to receive this amazing grant, which really will change the lives of our members. We plan to spend it on furniture upholstery improvement which will benefit each and every member of our club.”

The scheme has been designed to help small clubs to fund repairs, purchase new equipment, transport to competitions and generally contributing towards the future sustainability of these vital clubs.

After applying for a grant via the Cash 4 Clubs website, members of Leamington Rugby Club will be spending the welldeserved cash on much needed furniture upholstery improvement in the club house.

Chairman, Richard Watkins was delighted after receiving the news that their club was amongst the 2018 winners: “Running a local sports club is extremely rewarding but doesn’t come without

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Image: Leamington Rugby Club

“The application for Cash 4 Clubs was really simple, we simply submitted a written entry, which meant we could get all of our requirements across, as well as showcase our current facilities”.

In addition to the grants of £500, £750 and £1,000, Cash 4 Clubs has also chosen one lucky club to receive £10,000, in honour of the scheme’s 10th birthday.

Naomi Totten, Spokesperson for Paddy Power Betfair said: “Sport plays a key role in building a strong sense of community, and we’re pleased to have run the Cash 4 Clubs campaign for the 10th year in a row. Supporting clubs and athletes at all levels, not just professionals, is extremely important to us, and we can see how our grants have a direct impact on a local level.

“The past ten years have shown us just how important these grants are to local clubs and their surrounding communities, further improving the service they provide to members.”

Pewsey Vale RFC develop club facilities Pewsey Vale RFC is working with local sporting groups in the Pewsey Vale area to create a sports pavilion which can be

used for a range of sports and social activities by the community at large.

The first phase of the pavilion has been completed and the club is now starting on building two changing rooms which will enable the first stages of use. Local people have donated many of the materials for construction such as tiling, benching and changing accessories and they have a team of volunteers with the necessary skills to use these materials and construct an outstanding facility.

The grant of £4,950 will be matched by the clubs and used to purchase suitable equipment to allow the first phase of this project to be completed. Once in place these facilities can be used by range of local sports clubs including mens and juniors rugby, ladies netball and the local running club. This will replace the current facilities which are converted stables which are rudimentary in the extreme and not suitable for juniors.

In particular this will allow the club to expand sporting opportunities for children beyond the age of 11 (our current maximum) and increase the inclusiveness of sport in the area.

Our Partners

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From the professional game...

RFU Chief Executive Steve Brown stands down Nigel Melville, Director of Professional Rugby will be the Interim Chief Executive.

Premiership Rugby and Gallagher show support for Rainbow Laces “At Premiership Rugby we are committed to the core values of Inclusion and Respect. We want everyone who engages with rugby at any level to feel welcome and we run a number of inclusion programmes – including Project Rugby – which takes the game to traditionally under-represented groups.

- Wayne Morris, Community Director at Premiership Rugby

Connacht Rugby initiate Sportsground redevelopment project “We have received an overwhelmingly positive response to our redevelopment plans since we made the public announcement. We have already received a large number of emails with observations and offers of support. We are now planning a public session to provide an opportunity for local residents and the wider community to get to view the plans and provide feedback - Willie Ruane, CEO

Harlequins partner with Dot London Harlequins have partnered with Dot London, the official domain name for London - http://www.quins.london

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RFU renews partnership with CBRE RFU has announced it has renewed its partnership with CBRE, the world’s leading real estate advisor, for another three years.

Gloucester-Hartbury Women announce first ever principal partner Gloucester-Hartbury Women have confirmed that Storage Kind have signed on as the first principal partner in the club’s history. It is a significant step for the club and a clear indication of the recent growth in the women’s game and, in particular, in how Gloucester-Hartpury Women have progressed in recent times.

Gloucester Rugby smarten up with T.M Lewin The agreement will see players, coaches and matchday staff wearing T.M.Lewin clothing.

Worcester Warriors announce new ownership Worcester Warriors have announced that the Club is under new ownership following its successful sale to a consortium, with the primary funder being Errol Pope, alongside Jed McCrory, Scott Priestnall and former Premiership Rugby player David Seymour. The new owners are committed to keeping the Club at Sixways and investing above a certain threshold into the rugby budget.

Edinburgh Rugby partner with Dentons

Pro14 Rugby partners with FloRugby.com

Dentons – who will feature on the collar of the club’s new home and alternate Macron playing kits – has Scottish offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.

Fans can access live and on-demand coverage of the Guinness PRO14 matches in France, Spain, Portugal, and Latin American countries

“We are very pleased to be partnering with Edinburgh Rugby and look forward to supporting the team throughout what will undoubtedly be a successful season.”

- Dentons’ Kenneth Shand

Jonny Petrie announced as Ulster Rugby CEO "I am enormously privileged to have been offered this role with Ulster" - Jonny Petrie

Ricoh launch The Business of Rugby campaign A new report and video series made up of four chapters focusing on the four factors that Ricoh believe are essential to developing a winning strategy: people, process, technology and place, will be released throughout the 2018-19 Gallagher Premiership Rugby season. The aim is for each chapter to provide fascinating insights and behind-the-scenes access to the Premiership Rugby clubs.

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