Spoon has its roots in rugby and is proud to be associated with such a great sport and those that play and support. Over the years Spoon was often asked to supply a seven of fifteen aside team in a charity fundraising game but were rarely able to take up the Invitation. How could we be the charity of British and Irish rugby but not have a team that plays? In addition relationships with our Patrons, the governing bodies of the Home Unions were not particularly strong or those with the premiership clubs, at grassroots level, schools or players. So a few years ago the transition began. Spoon now has great relationships with the Unions, more of the top players and clubs support the charity and initiatives are in place to develop Spoon’s profile in schools and clubs. Alongside this, Spoon now has its own teams under the umbrella of Wooden Spoon Rugby in the form of the Wooden SpoonA-As, Wooden Spoon Vets, Wooden Spoon Women, Wooden Spoon Lionesses, Wooden Spoon Blues RUFC and Wooden Spoon England Legends that can actually represent Spoon on the field.

Raising the profile of Wooden Spoon throughout the world of rugby is an integral part of the future development of the Charity. As former Lions Captain and Scotland International, Gavin Hastings said…
“I think that rugby people are all so much the same – they are all charitable people and we will always do our bit wherever we can.”

It is the future generation of rugby players, supporters, aficionados at all levels of the game that will continue to make the difference for Wooden Spoon. And it is necessary to spread the word of the charity to ensure the success and fundraising continues.

So how does sending an able bodied rugby team to the far flung corners of the world actually help disadvantaged children in the UK and Ireland?

Rugby is a universal language. Over 150 countries across the world are affiliated to the IRB and play some form of rugby from minis, touch, tag, sevens, women’s, fifteens and vets. The business community love the sport. It is fast and entertaining, draws crowds including females and families and has no seasonal constraints.

Working and communicating with those companies, players and supporters who see the value of being associated with rugby is invaluable for Spoon. At Tournaments and games, representative of Spoon get the opportunity to speak directly to people who understand the sport, the business and the charity. These leads have all reaped huge rewards for Spoon and the children we support.

Attending prestigious tournaments gives Wooden Spoon Rugby the chance to shout about their performance on and off the pitch and spread the name of Spoon to a bigger audience. National and international press coverage is a wonderful and cost effective marketing tool! As a Charity Spoon is able to attract some of the biggest names in rugby to play in the Spoon rugby teams, greatly adding to the marketability of the team. Male and femal players have ranged from England U19 representatives to full international capped legends.

And when spectators are happy, having fun and enjoying being entertained they are also very generous!

Sponsorship of Wooden Spoon Rugby
Wooden Spoon Rugby is proud to be affiliated with some of the best names in business. Wooden Spoon thanks you for your support and wish all a great time on the pitch!

Sponsorship Opportunities
Wooden Spoon Rugby has a mixture of fixtures both here and abroad playing in some of the most popular and eagerly followed tournaments. This is a perfect opportunity for your company to Sponsor the Spoon team, support the charity you love while maximising 

Kit branding - Your logo will be featured on the Spoon Rugby kit guaranteeing maximum visual impact and any subsequent TV/press coverage. Your logo will be professionally presented on the kit including playing kit, tracksuits, warm-up kit and kit bags.

Media launch (with players) - Around major tournaments, Spoon will host a media launch introducing the players. All sponsors will be formally introduced and you will enjoy maximum exposure at the media launch. The media launch will be held at a highly prestigious corporate venue. National and International TV channels (including SKY), radio stations and press will be formally invited to attend this media launch event. Spoon has enjoyed some good media media attention in the past due to the friends in the press, the caliber of players participating on behalf of Wooden Spoon Rugby and the appeal of Wooden Spoon. This is your perfect opportunity to directly target a domestic and International corporate audience when they are most receptive, guaranteeing you maximum return for your investment.

Press release - National press releases in the UK and the venue of each respective tournament. All sponsors will be included in any press release regarding Wooden Spoon Rugby. Distribution includes National papers, trade and rugby specific press like Rugby Business World, Rugby World, International Rugby News to name but a few.

Events around the game/tournament- One of the main aims of Wooden Spoon Rugby is to raise money for the Charity during their attendance at matches and tournaments. As an official sponsor of Wooden Spoon Rugby your company will be regularly promoted at all the events the teams attend be it dinners, school visits, official pre/post match events etc.

Images - Rights to use images from the games and tournaments and use of the Wooden Spoon picture gallery in your marketing material (website, brochures, points of sale).

Wooden Spoon & Wooden Spoon Rugby logos - Rights to use both of these logos in your marketing material (website, brochures, points of sale).

Website coverage - coverage on the Wooden Spoon website

Website branding - a click-through link to your website via the Wooden Spoon site

Newsletter coverage - coverage in the Wooden Spoon official quarterly newsletter 'Spoonews' with a 23,000 circulation to members and corporate supporters. Use of newsletter on two separate occasions, one before the event and one after the event. Your logo, contact information and editorial coverage will be featured in Spoonews.

Signed memorabilia - you will be formally presented with a signed shirt by one the Wooden Spoon Rugby players plus a signed squad photograph.

Charity - any profit after travel and accomodation expenses  goes directly to the Wooden Spoon to support disabled and disadvantage children.

Travel and accommodation - travel with the Spoon Rugby teams. Come and support Spoon at any of their fixtures. You will be guaranteed a great day/week with great entertainment.

Sponsorship Packages - We ask for a contribution of just £5,000 for this whole sponsorship package. The package includes all sponsorship materials - marketing, promotions, media launches, press releases, web-links, kit branding. You will not have to pay any additional monies on top of this donation.

If you want any more details, please contact John Dewhurst: 01253 777 767 johndewhurst@aol.com