On Saturday 11 October, just prior to the 1st XV’s home fixture on The Common against Sidmouth RFC, the Marlborough Rugby Club held its first sponsors’ lunch of the season. The Chairman, Howard Wilkinson, and his Committee hosted several sponsors and other guests for a very good pre-match lunch, with plenty of networking and socialising going on around the table, in the Clubhouse, and out onto the pitches for the match.
The Club will have been very grateful for the presence of representatives from the Hills Group, the Ramsbury Estate, Print Image, WHO Landscapes, Casa Fajara / Idyllic Holiday Properties, TMN Construction, Fine & Country and SpecSavers (Marlborough). The Town Council was there as well, the Club was graced by the presence of Mayor, Cllr Emily Trow. The Club thrives on partnerships. It’s an important element of the Marlborough community, representing the town. And now, having ascended to the fifth tier of the national rugby structure (as comparison, Swindon Town Football Club is in the fourth tier nationally of the round ball game) the Club puts the town on the map, which helps the community as a whole.
The partnerships are not just with the other community groups in Marlborough, but also the commercial businesses of the town and beyond, and these are the sponsors who become associated with the Club, and help drive its progress, whilst helping deliver success and being recognised for their positive involvement.
Chairman Howard was clear that as the Club is seen at this pretty high national level, it’s these businesses and partners who help make that success a reality. And every business and person who engages with the Club sees a ‘return on their investment’ whether it be financial or friendly! Success for success.
Guests were especially fortunate to be at the Club on Saturday, as it was one of the first places in the country to have Ramsbury’s new brew on tap. The lager is Red Kite, and it seemed to go down a treat with those present! The sun shone on The Common and – the icing on the cake – the 1st XV were victorious over a determined Sidmouth RFC team in front of a good-sized crowd. (see report). The Club clearly had a very successful afternoon and delivered a very important result against a strong side.
Marlborough Rugby is an increasingly strong brand. The Club’s website gives all the information and points of contact, but it is their social media that is an expanding area of influence. The Club’s posts (that go out on Instagram and Facebook) are now attracting a very healthy six figure tally of views each month
Whilst the Marlborough senior men’s teams showcase top-quality rugby on The Common almost every Saturday afternoon from September to May (or even June!) each year, every Sunday it’s the turn of the youth teams, boys and girls. Well over two hundred young players from the town and surroundings learn and play rugby with the Club. The girls teams are becoming increasingly popular, spurred on by the successes of the Red Roses, recently crowned World Cup winners!
But it’s not just the young or extremely sportingly active. Marlborough Rugby is also there for those less likely to be thrown into a tackle, and there is now a very active and busy ‘walking rugby’ team, enabling those who love the game but find fifteen-a-side just a bit too energetic to still play the game, but at their pace.
The Clubhouse is best described as a ‘bijou venue’. It has a well-provisioned bar with a full range of very competitively priced refreshments; the welcoming staff serve top quality bar snacks; and the Clubhouse sits in some of the finest countryside Wiltshire has to offer. It is available for hire and can accommodate a wide range of users throughout the year. It’s worth noting that membership of the Club secures you discounts at the bar.
Howard was keen also to note that there are many different types and levels of sponsorship, but evey one, and every sponsor is important. They enable the Club to thrive, and – as we always hope – to succeed. These range from pitch-side signboards that have real impact on The Common, to player partnerships, to match-day sponsorships, to individual age-grade team strips, to having your logo on the senior men’s kit – worn proudly across Wiltshire & Dorset and throughout the south-west, all the way down to St Austell in Cornwall!
Howard and his team at Marlborough Rugby are always keen to talk, and to encourage any individual or business to become involved in one of Marlborough’s growing enterprises. All supporters should consider even just membership of what is now becoming seen as ‘the best little rugby club in Wiltshire’.
For all information, click here to see the Club website or contact: info@mrfc.co.uk
‘Gloss’ – new single from Deadlight Dance released Friday 17 Oct
