Businesses Kick Off For St Ives Rugby

A club at the heart of the St Ives community has celebrated the support it has received from the business community this season.

St Ives Rugby Club held to a special celebration day at its grounds at Alexandra Road on Saturday 1^st March, where volunteers and sponsors were welcomed with lunch before enjoying the “Hakes” win their home match against Plymstock Oaks RFC.

This year has seen 40 businesses partner with the club in a range of ways – from funds raised via advertising boards and kit sponsorship, through to services donated as gifts in kind.

Not only has this helped the club financially, but it has also brought more visitors to the grounds to enjoy matches and add to the atmosphere, as sponsors are welcomed to home matches with free entry and discounts at the busy clubhouse bar.

Russell Baragwanath, St Ives RFC Chair said:

“We are extremely grateful to all of our business supporters this season. Inviting them to a special lunch is just a small way that we can show our appreciation. We were delighted so many of them could attend on the day so that we could thank them in person. We would like to extend those thanks to each and every one of our business partners who help to keep our club running”.

It is an exciting time for St Ives RFC, with planned developments to improve the grounds and clubhouse, supporting players and providing better facilities for those who visit.

Building the club’s sponsorship opportunities has been a focus over the past 18 months, with the committee working hard to attract many new businesses to support the club, as well as consolidating historic corporate partnerships.

St Ives Rugby Club now welcomes over 40 sponsorship deals, from businesses throughout St Ives and further afield – St Austell and Truro to Penzance and Gweek, as well as businesses that operate throughout the county and beyond.

St Ives has a history of over 140 years of rugby, and the club has played an important role in the town – seeing players reach their potential, youth coming up through the club, families enjoying the social connections and the clubhouse hosting events from christenings to weddings.

Russell continued: “The Hakes now have 2 men's teams competing in the league structure and the mini and youth section continues to grow. We aim to provide a warm welcome to the hundreds of supporters and parents who come to the club on a regular basis. The combined audiences of players and supporters, added to visitors parking here is significant and we have been pleased to utilise this footfall to help promote businesses that support our club.

Russell added: “We have explored new sponsorship deals this season as well as consolidated existing ones and are extremely grateful to the many businesses that have chosen to support us, which includes: Sharps Brewery, Impact Printing Services, Cornish Bakehouse, Smith Window Cleaning Services, St Ives MOT Test Centre, D A Giles , St.Ives Boats, Blue Fin Charters, Cross Estates, Aspects Holidays, CVC Solicitors, St.Ives Brewery, Baker & Moore Tiling, Greenmount Carpets, Cornish Seal Sanctuary, St.Ives Self Storage, St.Ives Foot Care, Penwith College, Douglas Cawley and Associates, Elite Wealth Management, Cornish Riviera Holidays, A1 Cars, The Fish Shed, Crusty Juggler, Southwest Laundry, Sanders fish & chips restaurant, WJ  Winn, Carbis Bay Holidays, Florida Travel Company, Cottage Boutique, Chili Jam Vans, Polmanter Touring Park, The Old Quay House, Eventy Marketing, Saints Funerals, Murt & Navin Electrical and Ayr Holiday Park.

With corporate opportunities for all budgets, marketing returns through a partnership with the club include features on the club’s website; social  media interaction; branding within the grounds and clubhouse, as well as kit; acknowledgement in programmes; member communication; match day hospitality; and use of the clubhouse… to mention just a few!

Many of the business partners enjoyed the special thank you event last Saturday, commenting how pleased they have been with their sponsorship and their plans to renew for next season.

If you would like to find out more, visit St Ives RFC’s website: https://www.stivesswrfc.co.uk/become-a-sponsor or contact Helen@eventy.co.uk