2016-2017 Sponsorship Packet INFORMATION FOR SPONSORS 2
Dear Future Sponsor Team Member, We are excited about the possibility of you joining our team! The Houston Athletic Rugby Club is a 501(c) 3 organization committed to pursuing excellence of sport, youth development, and community service through rugby. More precisely, we are a group of adult men and women with a passion for playing and teaching rugby while also serving our community. We strive to uphold rugby s core values of Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline, and Sportsmanship. From volunteering by coaching local youth, high school, and college clubs to sorting food and packing food boxes at the Houston Food Bank, our members know the value of service to others, both on and off the field of play. Our Club is an award-winning organization, currently competing as part of USA Rugby s Red River Rugby Conference. At present, HARC fields five teams (three men s and two women s) consisting of nearly 150 playing members. This past season, the Women s 15s team finished second in the Red River Rugby Conference and progressed to the Semifinals in the Division II National Championships. In the near future, we hope to be able to provide rugby opportunities to others in our area that either do not know about rugby or don t have a rugby option available to them. Part of these plans include sponsoring a team for recent high school graduates who don t have the option to play for a collegiate side, providing rugby options to youth both on the weekends and as after school activities, and providing a rugby specific facility that will allow all of Houston s ruggers to have a place to call home. As a sponsor team member, you will make a crucial difference in our ability to compete as amateur athletes on the field, expand the game we love and the ideals associated with it, and serve others in our community. By choosing to join our team, you will be providing critical support to our organization while bringing added attention to your organization. Your organization has the opportunity to promote yourself to not only to the members of HARC, but also to the hundreds and thousands of rugby athletes and coaches, fans, friends, and family members we encounter in our 12-match seasons, tournaments, national championship competitions, and community events. We hope you will consider joining our team for the 2016-2017 season. Cheers, Daniel Aaron Vice President of Club Development Houston Athletic Rugby Club 3
Sponsorship Opportunities Your company is invited to associate and connect with Houston s Premier Rugby Club s members, supporters, and fans in a high-profile way. Rugby is the fastest growing sport in the country, so don t miss an opportunity to grow with HARC. Visibility and exposure of your company can be promoted through: Associated media coverage - press, radio and potential TV coverage should HARC teams advance to the USA Rugby National Championships Playoffs. The Rugby Channel, a dedicated internet rugby channel owned and operated by USA Rugby, live streamed this past season s National Playoffs featuring our Women s team. Our Men s team has also been featured on local regional sport networks around the county. Our website - visited by our players, members and other interested individuals. Communications to over 2,000 members, former members, and supporters. Networking invitations to matches, practices, and events during the season. Branding and logo placement exposed to: To visitors and spectators to the home game pitch area at Houston Amateur Sports Park. Direct to the local University community through ball donation to Rice University s, University of Houston s, St. Thomas University s, or local high school rugby clubs. Direct to the local community through HARC organized community rugby events. Visibility through Players jerseys, training kit, training and match day balls. Repeated exposures to HARCs audiences (players, members, spectators and alumni) will reinforce your logo, brand, product, and company awareness to high income individuals in key professions in Houston. Email HARC s Vice President of Club Development, Daniel Aaron, at Daniel.Z.Aaron@gmail.com or call (832)-785-9561 today to find out more. HARC s President, Directors, Officers, and Coaches recognize the support our sponsors provide, and reinforce the benefits sponsors provide to our players and members. Thank you! 4
Club Overview The Houston Athletic Rugby Club (HARC) is a 501(c) 3 charitable organization dedicated to the promotion and development of the game of rugby in the greater Houston metropolitan area. HARC was established in 1998 from the merger of the Houston Old Boys Rugby Football Club, the Houston Rugby Football Club, and the Houston Hurricanes Women s Rugby Football Club. The Club directly supports 5 Senior Level playing sides for members over the age of 18 years, both male and female. Several of our members, with assistance from the Club, help administer, coach, and referee various collegiate, high school, and youth clubs throughout the area. Areas of growth for the Club include forming and organizing a non-contact youth league and a U-23 competition. Membership Nearly 150 Registered Playing Members in 2015/2016 Season 20 dues paying Alumni/Social Members Organization The Club fields a total of five teams that compete in USA Rugby s Red River Rugby Conference. Men s XV s o 2 teams, Division 1 and Division D1b o 89 Players o 12 Cup matches planned, plus preseason warm ups Women s XV s o Division 2 National Championship Semifinalist in 2016 o Division 1 National Championship Quarterfinalist in 2015 o 1 Division 1 / Division 2 team o 44 Players o 12 Cup matches planned, plus preseason warm up and in season friendlies Women s and Men s 7s Teams o Travel throughout Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Arkansas competing in tournaments each summer to qualify for National 7s Championship Tournament. 5
Marketing Reach 1,680+ Likes on Facebook 1,430+ Followers on Twitter 600+ Followers on Instagram 400+ on email distribution list Audience Demographics Majority are college educated Primarily Aged 21-50. Men and Women Diverse professions o Oil and Gas o Medical o Media o Consultancy o Education o Government o Small Business Owners Diverse backgrounds. Members from: o United States o Canada o Ireland o United Kingdom o Argentina o Chile o France o Nigeria o Kenya HARC s organization of teams, players, and interested individuals gives sponsors a range of routes to connect with our audience. HARC is delighted to offer your company the opportunity to influence this highly targeted and valuable market. 6
Levels Of Sponsorship Tiers Exclusive Title Sponsor Overall Sponsorship value of greater than $10,000 Benefits Marketing as chief sponsor 3 mentions on HARC social media feeds per week Branding on all external communications (email updates, flyers, press releases, etc.). **Not including social media posts/updates. Minor logo placement on all jersey sets that don t have Sponsor logo as Main Chest logo All benefits of Corporate Supporter Executive Sponsor Overall Sponsorship value of between $10,000 and $2,000 Benefits 1 per week mention on HARC social media channels Branding on email and flyers All benefits of Corporate Supporter Corporate Supporter Overall Sponsorship value of less than $2,000 Benefits Logo Placement on HARC website Logo placement on HARC social media sites Banner placement at all home matches (sponsor to provide banner) Mentions on HARC media when appropriate (approximately monthly) 7
Sponsorship Marketing Opportunities The Houston Athletic Rugby Club is proud to offer the following opportunities for our corporate sponsors to market their brand and image on the Club s playing gear and general merchandise. If you and your company choose to fund one of our marketing opportunities, in addition to the benefits of being a sponsor detailed on the preceding page, you will receive the gifts detailed below. (Logo size and placement on all items are determined by HARC.) Marketing Offer Standard Price Gifts XVs Jersey Chest Logo (1 set - offering up to 3 sets) XVs and 7s Jersey Minor Logo (all new sets placement on back) 7s Jersey Chest Logo (1 set offering up to 2 sets) Dri-fit Polo (Pocket logo -Team wear post- match) $3,000 Up to 2 Jerseys $1,000 1 Jersey $2,000 Up to 2 Jerseys $5,000 5 Polos Performance T-Shirts (Front or Back Team wear pre-match) $2,500 5 T-Shirts Match Shorts $3,000 3 shorts or 2 Polos Performance Tank Tops (Front or Back 7s Teams to wear) Balls Game and Training (Logo placed on balls - To be donated to local youth/hs clubs after season) Highlight Video Sponsor (Home Cup Matches Only) $1,000 5 Tank Tops $2,000 3 Game Balls $250 per match Or $2,000 for season None 8
The Houston Athletic Rugby Club is thankful for your time and interest in our Club and in helping to promote and develop the game of rugby. Without generous sponsors and supporters, like you, HARC could not deliver on our mission. If you wish to support HARC and be associated with our club in other ways or if you have any questions with how you can support the Houston Athletic Rugby Club, please contact: Daniel Aaron Vice President of Club Development (832) 785-9561 Daniel.Z.Aaron@gmail.com The Houston Athletic Rugby Club is a 501 (c) 3 Non-Profit organization 9