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Posts tagged ‘rugby’

Aug 31

Wasps and Warriors in Crisis?

What is going on with Rugby?

More recent news in the Rugby Premiership is that Worcester are going through a financial crisis. Is this the start of a trend destined to hit more rugby clubs in Union and indeed League.

Due to the tough struggle of everyone in the last two years from the Covid-19 pandemic and the rise in the “cost of living” they have stated they had a large sum of tax liability to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

It is believed that Worcester’s tax bill now stands at around £6 Million.

However, Colin Goldring, Co-Chairman of the Club, has stated to an email to his employers “Any articles that we are in administration, or going into administration tonight, tomorrow, next week etc are all untrue”.

There is a takeover offer to rescue the Club’s future with American partners, but they ‘must be placed into immediate administration’ and this would leave the Club to be set back a 35-point penalty.

Wasps are also struggling with debt. They were expected to start the Season in arrears as they failed to pay a £35 Million retail bond. Due to this crisis we have been informed 11 players are leaving the Club and £1 Million worth of talent has been lost.

Also, it’s been said that Wasps could risk being sued by Coventry City Football Club after they were forced to postpone two matches due to pitch being unplayable.

Article researched and compiled by Kaya Stores.

Jun 27

Folau Folly

Folly according to the dictionary means:

“lack of good sense; foolishness”.

“an act of sheer folly”.

One might argue that the recent catalogue of events, mirrors this definition, when considering the case of an ex-Australian rugby player, who was banned for explitives against gay people, under the disguise of a so-called commitment to Christian values.

We write about it here, because of the apparent lack of tolerance to sexual orientation, but also as it has now entered the funding arena and is a topic of debate – a discipline in which ACROBAT FCSM is well versed, so here’s one opinion.

By way of background, a respected funding platform – in fact crowdfunding site – called GoFundMe, exerted its own censorship, when it barred controversial rugby player Israel Folau from using its platform to raise monies towards his legal fees.

One might argue, as we do on our own crowd funding platform – Crowd Scrum – that the prerequired moderation should have deterred the application before its launch. This rather than an u-turn based on a clamour of protests.

Should an appeal to raise legal funds to back an ‘accused’ be allowed? Of course, there should be some place for anyone to turn to if they seek to secure a groundswell of support over a campaign or matter, in their corner (as long as legal!). The reason given by GoFundMe was it breached its’inclusivity’ code, hence the expelling. We wouldn’t have contemplated for one second any backing of this cause – nor indeed normally any appeal with religious ‘blinkers’ or overt undertones.

However, there appears light at the end of the tunnel for Israel, in that a platform that shares his religious beliefs, has facilitated the new, fundraising appeal and indeed become major donor to give the campaign a ‘kick start’.

The player has sought to raise AU$3 million ($2.08 million; €1.83 million) to appeal against Rugby Australia’s decision to sack him for making homophobic comments on his social media.

GoFundMe had collected AU$760,000 (but refunded these pledges to donors and never remitted therefore to Folau). Now, the Australia Christian Lobby (ACL) has since took three days to collect AU$ 2 million and rising.

What’s your take. As a thought provoker, we recite the quote:

“Religion leaves no room for human complexity”.

Daniel Radcliffe

Jan 30

Fantastic NZ opportunity for our children

BOOK NOW
Fantastic NZ opportunity for our children
 
Early heads up for those that might be interested, Altrincham Kersal RFC is organizing a repeat of a successful venture which has been held at other clubs ‘down-south’. This exciting opportunity, where real New Zealand rugby is brought to our children. All the kids get certificates, tee shirt, gift pack etc on top of exquisite ‘ALL BLACKS’ coaching.
 
So who is it for?
Boys and girls ages 6-16
Altrincham Kersal Rugby Club.
Monday August 5th- Friday August 9th, 2019
 
In situ will be a team of DBS Qualified and vetted coaches who come over from New Zealand to offer a summer rugby camp with a difference from other rugby camps that may be out there. A unique NZ experience!
 
More details:
 
http://www.crowdscrum.co.uk/projects/altrincham-kersal-rugby-club/

Dec 21

What’s up your sleeve?

As we rapidly approach the New Year and dawn of 2019, marketers are considering optimum approaches for lead generation, new business and methods to raise brand awareness.  At ACROBAT FCSM we have long seen the benefits of carefully structured partnerships with sports clubs.  Nothing is prescriptive, but service level agreements established with structured activation tactics and measurable returns.

Much publicity was given when the Premier League in football announced in 2017 that clubs were allowed an additional sponsor name on the left sleeve of the shirts. In terms of brand recognition, casual sporting fans or supporters and viewers of this sport may well recall Western Union (Liverpool), Angry Birds (Everton), Nexen Tire (Manchester City) and Rwanda (Arsenal) etc.

In other sports, the prominence, visually, in associating a brand with a sports club can be a welcome addition to the marketing tactics employed in plans and strategies for trading over a predetermined timespan.  Naturally, we advocate a coherent ‘package’ of benefits to ensure the sponsor has maximum value as well as strategic outcomes.

Presently, an opportunity has arisen, at short notice but affording extremely good value and clear, tangible returns to enhance any sales and marketing plans for the New Year.

Alongside, credible blue chip clients including Mitsubishi, Lowry Outlet Centre, Kingsland Drinks, Bet Fred – the new Season’s terrific kits manufactured by Kappa for Salford Red Devils Rugby League Club has an opportunity for a sleeve sponsorship arrangement.

Naturally, any interested party can contact Adrian Stores immediately on either adrian.stores@salfordreddevils.net  or adrian.stores@acrobatfcsm.com.  Just an informal, no obligation chat guaranteed – with awaiting video showing ‘Why Salford’, metrics and digital reach, corporate brochure and rates card, and community benefits alongside any arrangement.

Have a great festive break and wishing you a prosperous New Year.  But just think “What have you got up your sleeve?” to start the future with the extra push a partnership with this Super League Club could bring?

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