BIGGAR RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB SPONSORS BROCHURE SEASON 2017/2018

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1 BIGGAR RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB SPONSORS BROCHURE SEASON 2017/2018

2 Season 2016/17 by Alistair Stewart Another fantastic season! Just over 6 months ago in November 2016 we hosted our Pitch Development opening ceremony. MSP Aileen Campbell, herself a Biggar RFC player, performed the official lights on! MP David Mundell was also in attendance and in the company were representatives of the major funders for this project, Biggar RFC, Sportscotland, SAC, SRU, SSE and Sportsmasters as well as whole host of guests who were influential and who had contributed to the project. In very poor, wet conditions we, as a club, were amazed and delighted that this ceremony attracted some 700 spectators, all determined to share in this very important event. Despite the damp conditions the evening was a great success; a real Community event and a magnificent conclusion to the project which over two years saw the community come together to raise the 40,000 required to ensure the 440,000 project could be completed. On the pitch, our Seniors played a match against a Lanarkshire Select XV, our Youth section - involving both boys and girls - played cross pitch matches and our Minis entertained the spectators at half time. At the same time Biggar FC played an inter-club match while the Atheltics Club (the Biggar satellite of Law athletics) held sprint challenges. All these activites ensured this was a real Community event. What a fantastic evening and what an honour it was for me to preside over the events. As a founder member one of 5 still actively involved in the club s organisation the advances made over the years fills me with great pride. These advances have been down to the commitment of the whole club. Anyone who has contributed in any way, via being a member, for standing touchline to support our teams, for playing, for fundraising, for advertising, for sponsorship, for assistance with any small job can share in that pride, safe in the knowledge that they have also changed things for the better for thousands of folks in the Biggar area. One Club, One Family was the club motto launched by Rugby Manager Nic Humphries for the season just past. November s Opening Ceremony and May s Big Weekend were testimony to that motto with the club pulling together to run in total four major events which showed off all that is good about Biggar RFC. In May our Big Weekend provided entertainment over 3 events for around 2,000 members, friends and visitors. Blessed with some cracking weather forget that the Sevens ended in the wet Hartree Mill, with the Hartree Hills providing a magnficent back drop, was the perfect location for the marquee, the Spring Ball and Skippinish concert. A whole lot of hard work but all paid off and this is another weekend to be fondly remembered. But these were just two occasions in another very busy season.

3 People often refer to Biggar RFC as being a small club and in terms of catchment area that is most probably true, but everything else points to the fact that Biggar RFC is a BIG club. In brief, and on our 20 acre Hartree Mill site, which we own, Biggar RFC has 16 sides playing rugby at all different age bandings a new Senior Ladies side which made its debut at our Sevens, a Sevens tournament now a firm fixture after last months success a successful Tartan Touch programme we are one of just 20 centres in Scotland completed a 400K pitch redevelopment which has provided us with 5 pitches (4 of which are floodlit), a very positive community link with Biggar FC and Biggar athletics, a big clubhouse boasting spacious changing facilities for 6 teams, a very well equipped fitness hut, a Youth Academy with a dedicated base and run by our Rugby Manager a Development Officer (DO) a Modern Apprentice (MA). And all this in a small community which supports us financially year on year, far out-stripping in number, the businesses which support the city clubs. And add to that a hard-working committee, supported by a whole band of determined and committed coaches, volunteers, parent helpers and one of the best and most vocal travelling supports and you begin to get an idea of how BIG this club is. In fact Biggar RFC is on a par with, if not better than, SO many other clubs in Scottish rugby. But what of matters on the field? Well, we can celebrate another successful season. Our 1st XV, although not able to challenge for promotion as had been hoped, played an exciting brand of rugby, recording more bonus points than in the previous 3 seasons put together and scoring more points than they have in any of the last 4 seasons. Our 2nd XV deservedly gained promotion back to the BT National Reserve League Division 2. Our Colts won the Green Conference (again) while the Girls shared their Conference title with Stirling County. Following a successful application to be considered for promotion to the President s Conference (now renamed the Shogun Conference after Mitsubishi s sponsorship of the Youth Conference system) this means that both boys and girls youth will, this coming season, play at the top table of youth rugby in the country. They will face the toughest opposition and play at the highest standard available - a big challenge for all, but a wonderful opportunity to advance playing standards.

4 Season 2016/17 continued In addition to many players involved in the Glasgow Academy, Andrew Nimmo was selected to play for Scotland U-18 s which is a wonderful acheivement for Andrew, his family and of course for us all at Biggar RFC. It is more than likely that Andrew Jardine would also have played had he not been inflicted by injury. Andrew Jardine will leave us this season to train with Glasgow Warriors although he will play his rugby at Melrose as he commits to a career as a professional player. Our Micro and Mini section is burgeoning and the youngsters are all benefiting from excellent coaching backed up by new DO Andrew Barnett who brings a wealth of experience to the post. Our Hypers Academy which now has some 40 members all of whom are working on individualised strength and conditioning and skills training programmes. And so what of the season which is now just around the corner senior pre-season having begun on 12th June. Gary Mercer and Davy Wilson will again coach at 1st XV level with Doug Fleming looking after the 2nds. Theirs was an important factor in last season s successes as was the input from returning player 1st XV Captain Andrew Dunlop and Club Captain Alan Warnock. After many years of dedicated service to the Colts the very successful trio of Ian Barr (15 years in post), Gavin Hill (12 years) and David Murray (12 years) have stepped down and are replaced by Graham Watson and a new team. The U16 s will be coached by Andrew Barnett while other coaching teams in the Youth and Mini sections will make the step up to the next age group. The season ahead will be another huge challenge for the club in many ways not least as it prepares to go through a change in administration. Our application to be registered as a Charitable organisation is currently being considered by OSCAR (the Charity regulator). This decision will have a major impact on how the club will be run in the future with the formation of two companies and attendent Trustees and Directors. The affairs of the club which are large and widespread increase year on year and require careful management. The new structure should assist the committee in maintaining a tight and efficient rein on the club s operations in the future. This communication is a means of thanking you for your support in the past and seeks to provide you with the latest information regarding Biggar RFC s progress. Your involvement is integral to our continued development and continued success. As we develop greater demands are made with regard to our running costs. The massive bonus of having our own floodlit facilities means that ground maintenance and heating and lighting costs have increased. More teams mean more playing and training equipment and more strips. This is a great problem to have but it does require careful management and funding. To close, we remain incredibly grateful for the support we receive from you as a sponsor and/or advertiser, from our membership and the from the community. Without your support we could not hope to achieve as much as we do and we could not begin to list all the achievements that appear in this article. I am sure you are aware of the importance of your support and I would like to repeat that you should share in the pride we have in being part of Biggar RFC. Many thanks indeed on behalf of the committee and membership of Biggar RFC for that support. Amongst a whole host of thank yous a massive THANK YOU to our main sponsors, Halls of Scotland who remain in the role of Club Sponsors. As a locally-owned family business with a world-wide reputation they fit perfectly with our One Club, One Family tag. We hope that we can continue to grow and to achieve in order to repay their and your faith. I hope you are encouraged by what you have read in this brochure and that you will continue to offer your support to our club. There are many ways in which to offer support but if there is something which you would like to do but which is not included within these pages please do not hesitate to pick up the phone and ask. Many thanks once again for the support you provided in season 2016/17 and I look forward to meeting up in the coming months.

5 President s Message It is a very great honour for me to have been elected to serve as president of Biggar Rugby Football Club for the 2017 / 2018 season. Our club is a beacon in our community, and is growing still and becoming more vibrant. We are lucky enough to have no less than 17 squads of both male and female players of all ages. Many businesses and individuals from our extended community support this club with their sponsorship and advertising, and on behalf of the club I thank you all. Your contributions allow the club to maintain and improve its facilities, which in turn allows all our squads to flourish and play the game we all love. The national and international firm of Halls of Scotland are our Main Sponsors again for this their fifth season. It is fantastic that this large, locally owned, business supports us, and it s great to see our two brands standing together and working for our mutual benefit. Our resurrected 7 s tournament held in May 2017, was sponsored by our First XV sponsor, The Elphinstone Hotel, and it was good to see Robert come along and present the prizes on the day. Come and join us and your sponsorship will help the club continue to grow and improve. We offer our thanks to all our existing sponsors, and hopefully this year we can welcome some new ones to Hartree Mill. Peter McDonald President, Biggar Rugby Football Club

6 Here are some of the reasons why you should sponsor Biggar RFC Your sponsorship helps finance the running of this vibrant and growing rugby club. You are helping the largest sporting club in the Clydesdale area in delivering improved fitness to many youngsters and adults. Your adverts in the match day programme, trackside banners or on some of the team jerseys will regularly be seen by a large number of people in a year at Hartree Mill as our 1st XV home matches can have crowds of over 500 attending. Sponsors displays are also seen by participants and supporters of the growing number of other groups who use our Hartree Mill facilities throughout the year, including:- Biggar High School for all their home rugby matches. Lanarkshire Schools for junior and senior cross country events Biggar Football Club now play their home matches.

7 Law Athletics Club hub now use the club as their training base Biggar Young Farmers for tug-ofwar and other competitions. The Cubs and Scouts also use our facilities. Jersey sponsors names / logos will be seen all over Scotland as we now have 16 different teams representing all age groups. We are being considered as a hub for The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

8 Match and Ball Sponsorship Match Sponsorship Cost: 420 (Paid with Order 360) Prices include VAT. 1. Advertising in local press. 2. On Sponsors page in Programme. 3. On Front Cover of Match Programme. 4. Additional Advert on centre pages of Match Programme 5. The opportunity to bring your guests for pre-match lunch at a very reasonable rate. For more details call Gordon Young on For opportunities to sponsor 2nd XV and Colts matches ask Gordon for details.

9 Ball Sponsorship Cost: 120 (Paid with Order 96) Prices include VAT. 1. Acknowledgement on Sponsors page in Programme. 2. On centre page of Match Programme. BIGGAR FIRST XV FIXTURES August 2017 Biggar v Perthshire BT Cup 2 September 2017 Biggar v Hamilton 16 September 2017 Biggar v Peebles 30 September 2017 Biggar v Dumfries Saints 14 October 2017 Biggar v Whitecraigs 28 October 2017 Biggar v Lasswade 2 December 2017 Biggar v West of Scotland 16 December 2017 Biggar v Howe of Fife unavailable 13 January 2018 Biggar v Aberdeenshire 27 January 2018 Biggar v GHK 3 March 2018 Biggar v Preston Lodge 31 March 2018 Biggar v Kirkcaldy

10 Programme Advertising Size Colour Paid With Order Black & White Paid With Order Full A /2 page /4 page All above include VAT Programme advertising is for the whole season this year that will be at least twelve home games plus the mini tournament. Please provide details of your advert with examples of any logos you wish to be included. All logos not already held by our printers should be supplied on disc or sent by for inclusion.if you want to leave your advert the same as last year please notify when ordering. All copy of adverts must be with the printers by 05/08/17. Your company could benefit from becoming involved with us. An advert in the match day programme can reach a large number of people with many using the services of the companies who advertise. We will have the ability to have one off adverts (i.e. an advert just for the one match) in the centre pages. These would need to be with the printers no later than the Monday before the Saturday match a list of match dates can be found under match Sponsorship. Price for this would be subject to negotiation.

11 Programme Advert Sizes HALF PAGE FULL PAGE QUARTER PAGE

12 Pitchside Advertising Pitchside Boards: Maximum Size 10 feet 1. Banner provided by Sponsor: 360 (Paid with Order 336) 2. Banner provided by Biggar on instruction from Sponsor: 660 (Paid with Order 576) 3. Banner retained for subsequent years 360. (Paid with Order 336). All of the above options to include listing in Match Programme. A trackside banner seen by all who visit Hartreemill and often seen in the national press. With the maintenance completed on the 1st and 2nd XV pitches there will be more games played, both on Saturdays and Sundays during the season therefore theree are more opportunities for more people to see your advertising boards. We still have room for new boards. We are now making the boards in metal.

13 5 year trackside advertising deal to help with the redevelopment of the pitches. A trackside advertising board on the first team pitch. Another prominent advertising board at the new pitches. A full page colour advert in the next 5 years match day programmes ( you will be able to change your advert each year). All for only a one off payment of 5400 (includes VAT). (and Gordon won t bother you again for sponsorship for 5 years). Money raised through this sponsorship will go directly to helping us buy equipment for pitch maintenance.

14 Sponsorship Opportunities 2017/2018 Mini Tournament Sponsor Sponsor the Mini Rugby Tournament to include a trackside banner for 1 year, your name/logo on the Mini Tournament Programme. Also you could have several of your own banners up for that day. This is one of the busiest days we have at the club. POA.

15 Mini Shirt Sponsor Your name or company logo on the shirts of all the mini shirts (over 100). This would be 3 year deal. POA,

16 Sponsorship Opportunities 2016/2017 Player Sponsorship Sponsor your favourite player for the season. Get your name/logo against a photo of the player in the clubhouse and on the website. If your player is picked to play for our first XV your name/logo will appear with his name on the matchday teamsheet. 60 (including VAT). Coach Jacket Sponsor Have your name of company logo on the coaching team jackets that they war at both home and away matches. We could include the subs jackets in this, price open to negotiation.

17 Flood Light Sponsor The training equipment, field equipment and touchline flags are sponsored by Atlas Winch and Hoist but there is the opportunity to sponsor the protective covers on the Floodlight poles on all the pitches 10 round pitch 2 and 10 large post protectors(as shown in the picture) round the new pitches 3,4, and 5 price negotiable with discount for more than one post ask Gordon for more details There will be an opportunity to sponsor the new floodlight columns when they are erected. We will also be purchasing 2 new sets of posts for the new pitches and you could have your company name or logo on the new posts if you were able to assist with the purchase. Ask Gordon for details.

18 Biggar RFC Academy HYPERS is the High Performance Programme at Biggar Rugby Football Club it was formed in August 2014 as a Club Academy with a partnership with SportScotland to use its Direct Club Investment vehicle to develop an in club facility at Biggar to give the opportunity, environment and support to a group of identified talented youngsters giving them the best opportunity to fulfil their poetntial. HYPERS has grown significantly rising from 16 athletes to a current squad of 52 athletes (14 females & 38 males) and is staffed by Nic Humphries (HYPERS Manager) and two part time Strength & Conditioning coaches. All athletes are challenged, within their monthly hours, by rugby skills sessions and an S&C programme based around athletic ability development. Athletes commit to an annual training plan and goal set regularly to develop their technical, tactical, physical and mental development and demonstrate behaviours that all elite athletes require to be professionals. In the season HYPERS is creating the pinnacle of its programmes with the start of the Biggar Senior Academy twelve players aged years old receiving the same support as HYPERS of; skills, analysis, strength & conditioning, nutritional support and mental skills training. This season HYPERS athletes hves seen success in Scottish Rugby s Performance programmes: An increase of one Stage 2 player to four Stage 2 players (Glasgow BT Academy) Andrew Nimmo selection to Scotland U18 3 players in Scotland U18 extended squad 8 players selected for Glasgow U18 Squad and a further 3 players involved in Glasgow U18 Development Squad. Will Kelly selected for Glasgow U16s (2017) with a further 3 players selected for the extended squad. 3 U18 girls selected for the U19 Girls Player Development Programme (West). A further 8 girls involved in the U14 & U16 BT Girls Academy Squads. In total 28 HYPERS athletes involved with BT Academy Glasgow programmes in the season.

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20 Development Team We have had a Development Officer at our club for over 7 years now. This year we also had a Modern Apprentice. We have some funding for the development team from the SRU and we have sponsorship from Green Cat Renewables and Atlas Winch & Hoist, to whom we are very grateful but we are still short of the 30,000 a year that it takes to finance the DO team. We are always looking for new sponsors for the DO team. Your name/company logo would be on the kit that they wear round all the Schools. Price negotiable. The Club and Community Development Officer The Development Officer s role at Biggar is one of many throughout Scotland which is run in partnership with the Rugby Club and Scottish Rugby Union. The purpose of this role is to develop, promote and facilitate rugby opportunities for young and old throughout the Clydesdale area. The Development Officer s role is vital in helping the club achieve its goals of growing to be one of the Leading Rugby Clubs in Scotland, and to become a gold mine for Rugby Development, giving each of our players and coaches the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential. In addition to these principal objectives, The Development Officer, supported by a Modern Apprentice proudly support Regional Rugby throughout Lanarkshire and Glasgow due to the Clubs alignment with Glasgow Warriors. The Development Officer s role entails a variety of different Club and Community commitments including; Curricular and extra-curricular Rugby sessions through Schools of Rugby at Biggar, Lanark and Carluke Secondary Schools to attract new participants to the game and develop Rugby in the region. Support of School Rugby teams across the Clydesdale area on match day and in training at Under 14, 16 & 18 for boys and U-12, U-15 & U-18 for Girls at Biggar High School, Lanark Grammar and Carluke High School. Delivery of Rugby based sessions in Primary Schools in the Biggar, Carluke and Lanark cluster. Delivery of Scottish Rugby s National Projects.

21 Support Schools helping organise school rugby teams and matches. The development and support of coaches and volunteers at Biggar RFC, ensuring both coaches and volunteers are in an environment in which they can achieve both their potential and progress with their coaching ambitions. The promotion of Boys & Girls rugby as a whole in the region to allow the young the opportunity to experience and benefit from rugby and its values. Development Officer Biggar RFC new rugby development officer is Andrew Barnett. Andy lives in Balerno on the outskirts of Edinburgh. He comes to Biggar RFC from George Watson s College where he was forward s coach of the First Xv for 10 years were he had success with 4 consecutive Scottish School cup final wins. Andy also had an influence on developing many Scottish age grade players who also went on to professional contracts. Andy s coaching career has seen highlights of being part of the Currie RFC Premiership championship teams as S/C coach. Forwards coach for Edinburgh district U17 and U18 squads and now sees him as Forwards coach for the Cyprus National team. Our Modern Apprentice: My name is Ioni McPherson and I am passionate about sport and coaching and believe the Modern Apprentice Role will help develop my skills and enable me to gain valuable experience within all aspects of rugby. I feel that I will be able to help promote Biggar RFC and provide young people with a positive role model, demonstrating the one club one family ethos. I believe that I would be able to start contributing straight away to promote rugby to children within the Clydesdale area and recruit new children into rugby, as well as encourage and develop the skills and behaviours of the children already involved. I will enjoy the challenge as I am very passionate about the voluntary work I have undertaken so far, working with children and young people to make a difference.

22 Biggar RFC New Pitch Development The club had recognised for a long time that it was in need of more pitches and started developing plans some 8 years ago to create more playing surfaces. The ideal opportunity arose in late 2014 with grant funding opportunities available from 3 sources that could potentially meet the costs. The Clyde Valley Wind Farm fund was approached to be the lead sponsor and along with the SRUC Community Fund and Sport Scotland the club secured just under 400k of funding and needed to find 40k of its own.in early 2015 the club, working with SAC Consulting, put the work out to tender and in May were in a position to appoint Sportsmasters. Work started in June with over 30,000m 3 of soils to be moved around to create 3 new full size pitches. At times the depth of excavations and mounds of soil led us to question if we would ever see level playing surfaces again. In August however, the work resulted in a level area and the shortage of topsoil was addressed and 2000m3 of soil was imported. Main drainage was installed, the soil ameliorated with sand and finally many days spent removing the stones. By late September it was time to start grass seeding and hope for some good weather to get the grass to germinate. By late October we saw the first green shoots of grass. In June /July km of sand slits were cut out and filled with 200mm of gravel with 3/400 mm of a soil sand mixture to aid the drainage this was all then seeded and fertilised. The installation of the floodlights carried out in September /October It was decided with the approval of the contractors that the pitches would be available for playing on by mid November 2016 so posts had to be bought and pitches marked out and on Friday 18 th November we held a grand opening of the new floodlit pitches The pitches were officially opened by local MSP Aileen Campbell. Since then we have used the pitches on a weekly bases both Saturday and Sunday with several Friday night floodlit matches and not forgetting that since November the Biggar Football Club (seniors and 2/3 junior teams) started training and holding all their home matches at Hartreemill. We also have the Biggar arm of the Law Athletic Training on weekly bases. WE ARE NOW VERY PROUD TO HAVE ONE OF THE BEST SPORTS FACILITIES IN SCOTLAND WITH LARGE NUMBERS OF ADULTS AND KIDS PLAYING AND TRAINING EVERY WEEK. CAN YOU HELP US MAINTAIN THIS FANTASTIC FACILITY?? PLEASE READ THE BROCHURE AGAIN TO SEE HOW YOU COULD HELP (e.g. Page 13).

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24 More Than Just a Rugby Club Dates for the Diary Golf Day at Biggar Golf Club. Friday 18th August. Teams of 4 competing for the Hartree Mill Quaich. The day starts at 8.30am with bacon rolls and coffee, followed by a round of golf, then a 3 course lunch at Biggar Rugby Club. 180 for a team of four Mini Tournament Sunday 10th September Gin Tasting Evening October Over 35s Dinner Friday 17th November Burns Supper Saturday 27th January Nations Race Night February 2018 Ladies Day Saturday 31st March Lunch at 1am Club Dinner and Players Presentation 7th April For more information on any of the above contact: Gordon Young on We also intend to run several other events during the season. Details for these events will be included in the local press, on our Club website ( Facebook and Twitter. Please tick the appropriate box on the reply sheet if you would like to receive a copy of our Friday Focus sent each week. This communication includes club news and weekend match information. On several Saturdays during the season we run Members Lunches. You are more than welcome to attend and perhaps bring your friends and/or clients. Three course lunch, entry to the match and a complimentary drink from the bar only 20. Phone Gordon on for available dates.

25 Hire the Clubhouse If you or your company need to hire a medium size venue at any time why not check if the clubhouse is available? If given sufficient notice we would also be in a position to quote for any meals that you may require. If you know of anyone who may be interested in sponsoring or advertising with us it would be great if you could forward their details to me Gordon Young. You may want to hire all our grounds, again contact Gordon for details. Website: biggarrfc.org Find us on Facebook at and on There are many other events every year at Hartree Mill. These include events run by South Lanarkshire Council primary and secondary schools competitions; Brownies; Scouts; Motor Bike Clubs; Caravan clubs; Dog Agility Classes and Young Farmers events.

26 Gym Our Gym, which was opened 5 years ago is getting busier and busier and is used by all members - not just the players! We are always looking for new sponsors and a gym sponsor would help with the up-keep of this facility We could re-name the gym with your company name/logo. Price negotiable.

27 Words from Our Sponsors Hall s of Scotland Hall s of Scotland are delighted to continue our sponsorship of Biggar Rugby Club. A fantastic community club, run with passion and spirit that inspires the whole community. Wishing you continued success for the season. From all at Hall s of Scotland. Bells Food Group (Shorts Sponsor) Bells Food Group takes great pride in supporting its local communities. It is vital that a community club such as Biggar RFC is supported for the value and service they bring to the town and surrounding districts. The Bell family have a long standing association with Biggar RFC & are delighted to be involved with the club. Best wishes for the new season 3R Solutions (2nd XV Shirt Sponsor) Biggar RFC is a great club and 3R Solutions are delighted to continue our sponsorship of the club. We look forward to the new season with some new faces and old acquaintances! Wishing BRFC all the best for 2017/18. Elphinstone (1st XV Shirt Sponsor) Biggar RFC has been an integral part of our community for more than 40 years now and over that time has developed into an effective and well managed club, on and off the pitch. Continued work within the local community with an active interest in developing young talent is one of the many reasons that we are delighted to continue our long association and sponsorship of this fine club. Robert, Michael and all at the Elphinstone would like to wish Biggar RFC all the best for the new season under Coach Mercer. Hartree Estates (Ladies and Girls Section Sponsor) Biggar Rugby Club are a wonderful, passionate, community club. We have thoroughly enjoyed sponsoring and supporting BRFC this year, and have had the pleasure of watching the girls play and win cup trophies at Murrayfield - a special day out for the Hartree team. We wish you all continued success for the season. Atlas Winch & Hoist Services Ltd (Training Equipment, Field and Midi Section Sponsor) Atlas Winch & Hoist Services Ltd has had a strong association with Biggar RFC for many years now. We are incredibly proud of all this small club, with limited resources, has achieved in its short 40 years history. It looks like an exciting season ahead for all sections of the club, especially with a new coaching team in place for the seniors. Atlas Winch & Hoist are delighted to continue its support of Biggar RFC and wish the club, its committee, members and supporters all the very best for the new season ahead.

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