Sponsorship - Introduction
SPONSORSHIP & PROMOTIONAL INFORMATION - 2010/2011
You might think you know us but please, take a few moments to read this letter and let me introduce ourselves, as there is something of great benefit to you in the body of this letter….……
Howe of Fife RFC is a thriving, successful community Rugby Club which gained promotion to the Scottish Premiership last season and, very nearly succeeded in gaining promotion another league to Premier League 2 this year, finishing the year in third position.
The ethos of the Club is to have the strength to compete at the senior levels by developing and retaining our youth sides. With over 250 children playing regularly every weekend in the mini, midi and colt sections of the Club, we constantly support and nurture this part of the Club. Evidence of the success of this policy is shown in the fact that our Under 16’s won the Caley Cup and National Bowl Final in 2010, building on similar successes in previous years. Indeed a number of the players involved in earlier years have now gone on not only to play for the 1st XV but also at International level as well as Professional rugby.
A read of the weekly paper indicates the ongoing strength of the Club with news and match reports typically covering two of the back pages. During the season there is not a week goes by without some news of our continuing success both on and off the field. For instance, Howe of Fife RFC has been chosen to pilot a national coaching scheme developed by the Scottish Rugby Union and has been rewarded as the National Club of the Month awards in successive seasons.
Our greatest public exposure however is the regular senior rugby to be played in the Scottish Hydro Electric Premier League 3 every Saturday this coming season.
With our growing success over the years, Howe are now a team that are taken very seriously by all opposition, with a tremendous home league record and notable wins in the Cup competition over Premier League 1 and 2 teams like Glasgow Hawks, West of Scotland and Kelso.
All of this now means there is a real interest in following a successful Club. On match days, we now attract a full grandstand with 300 - 400 people watching home games throughout the year. In the wider community this is evidenced by the substantial number of Howe branded sports and leisure wear being worn every day of the week by younger folk on our streets.
As well as on the playing side, Howe of Fife RFC continually has to invest in our facilities to keep them maintained and up to date. As you may know we have a super Clubhouse in a great central location on Provost Wynd with excellent car parking, a full time Club Manager and friendly staff that can offer full bar, refreshment and catering facilities throughout the year. There is a dedicated function suite which caters for members’ functions and is also ideal for business meetings, seminars, product launches and other purposes, with seating for upwards of 100 people. If you are interested in membership or simply wish to preview our facilities please contact our Club Manager, Lorna Lidderdale on 01334-652819.
A current infrastructure project involves the renewal of the floodlights at Duffus Park which means we need to raise almost £25,000 towards the project. This is being carried out through a sustained fundraising exercise throughout the club by all the members, young and old, ranging from sponsored cycles to supermarket bag packing.
As well as this specific project there are more regular aspects of the Club’s operation that require an ongoing financial commitment. Aside from supporting the equipping and running of all our teams there are increasing levels of stewardship required including dedicated first aid, health and safety and child protection officers whose work is essential but often unseen behind the scenes.
Now, as you will realise, supporting a thriving Rugby Club from Junior to Senior level costs a substantial sum of money and to achieve that we would welcome your support and participation. The support of the business community is invaluable to us and we would like to think that this involvement is two-way as the benefits of being associated with such a successful and progressive Club are substantial. By offering you excellent facilities on match days and the connection to a substantial playing membership and supporting audience you can ally yourself in a very public, clear and supportive manner which will bring benefits to both parties.
We have a range of sponsorship opportunities available and have pleasure in detailing these on the following pages. If there is something else you think we can offer you - please just shout!
You can contact me by phone, fax, email or letter and I would be delighted to give you all the information I can. I or one of my fellow Committee members will give you a call to discuss the sponsorship opportunities that we can offer and to follow up any interest you may have.
There is a lot more to say, but I have taken up enough of your time. I do hope that you will see the merit in associating yourself and/or your business with Howe of Fife RFC and thank you once again for taking the time to read this letter.
Kindest Regards
John Morrow
Sponsorship Convener
Sponsorship Opportunities
(Please note all prices exclude VAT)
FIRST TEAM SHIRT SPONSORS
New strips will be produced with your company logo but one benefit is that the strip is used by lower teams in subsequent years keeping your connection going over a longer period.
This offers an ideal way to promote your business reaching a substantial pool of prime customers both in Fife and throughout Central and Southern Scotland. In 2010-11 the team will compete against the following teams:
Ardrossan
Catha Queens Park(Glasgow)
Dumfries
Dalzell (Motherwell)Dunfermline
Haddington
Hamilton
Morgan (Dundee)Musselburgh
Perthshire
Whitecraigs(Barrhead)
Suggested Sponsorship Level
“Chest” and 2 x Upper Arms £4000 OR Chest only £2500 and Arms Only £1000 per arm
Price includes substantial media coverage, presentation photoshoot, free replica top, coverage on our website and free hyperlink to your own business. The £4000 package also includes display of pitch side banner for 1 year but excludes origination costs. The sponsorship is only offered on a unsold unique basis.
MATCH DAY SPONSORS
Sponsoring a game offers many great benefits. It can be used for reward and motivation of employees or as a great way to thank existing customers for their business in a relaxing low cost environment. The nature of the day also means it readily lends itself to informal business networking and marketing.
Sponsors are acknowledged in our newspaper advertising before the game and on our website as well within the match day programme. We can also arrange a photograph at the clubhouse or grounds with you and your guests for a record of the day which can be used for promotional services.
We look after you with a dedicated host for the day and provide an initial meeting in the bar area with a welcome drink. We then provide you with a private area for a 4 course lunch. Typical menus are shown but can be arranged to suit your exact needs and incorporate any dietary requests. All food is prepared in our dedicated catering facility as well as wine on the table and cheese, biscuits and coffee to follow.
Menu 1
Chicken Liver Pate with toasted soda bread onion chutney and rocket salad
Lemon, Garlic and Thyme roasted chicken with white wine jus, roast potatoes and seasonal vegetables
Chefs Own Banoffee Pie
Menu 2
Leek and Potato Soup
Beef Bourguignon with herb potato crush and seasonal vegetables
Lemon Tartlet served with seasonal berries and cream
Menu 3
Deep Fried Scotch Egg with spicy tomato ketchup and side salad
Roast Beef, Yorkshire Pudding, Roast Potatoes and seasonal vegetables
Vanilla baked Cheesecake with brandy snap basket and fresh berries
After the meal, we then head up to the ground at Duffus Park to watch the game. On return there are drinks, sandwiches and refreshments provided in the committee room, where we would be delighted to introduce you to the team players and match officials.
We can create any package of numbers and catering that you require but based on the above menu and with a generous pre and post match drinks allowance, typical Sponsor Packages costs are;
6 guests £420 £70/head)
12 guests £650 £555/head)
Additional Guests £40/head
Finally if required we can co-ordinate and arrange taxi services to collect and / or return your guests to and from the event so that everyone can have enjoy the day to the fullest extent.
MATCH BALL SPONSORS
There is a option to sponsor the match day ball, which is also in the acknowledged in our newspaper advertising before the game and on our website as well within the match day programme. There is free admission to the game for the sponsor and a guest as well as post match drinks and sandwiches back at the Club.
The cost is £60 per game
PITCH SIDE BANNERS
These are an ideal method of low cost promotion on a regular basis in the Cupar Area. The banners are typically 3.6m x 0.9m (12’0 x 3’0) and are originated by Sign FX in Cupar at a cost typically £250 - £300. They sit in a special supporting framework which prevents billowing and deterioration and are removed after every game for safekeeping. The banner is your property and will last at least 10 years and can be used for other promotional purposes.
They are displayed at every home game including Cup competitions and the Sevens Competition. Banner Displays cost £300 per year which works out at around £20 per game.
Pitchside Banner Sponsors are also mentioned in our programme sponsor list and on our club website with a free hyperlink to their own business.
PROGRAMME ADVERTISING
Howe of Fife produce a quality glossy programme in A5 format for every game which includes a weekly insert with Howe and opposition team lists, news updates and other promotional information.
With 300 - 400 people attending the home games and a print run of around 200 per game this represents a great way to get your name and business to them on a regular basis.
Repetition builds reputation and when allied with a successful sporting club, you are sure to see the benefits for your business. You may have artwork or an advert already to hand, or else we can design something for you.
With an expected readership of in excess of 6000, the unit cost is very low at just
£30/ quarter page £50/half page
£75/full page
PLAYER SPONSORSHIP
This is our most “personal” sponsorship package where you can choose or be allocated a member of the first team squad to sponsor. This helps to defray their playing costs and you have an opportunity to include a motivational message to each player. A specially designed picture board is displayed at every game for the public to see your involvement and a letter of thanks will be forwarded from “your” player who will also be available for a photo opportunity if required for promotional purposes.
Player sponsorship costs £125 per player
Combination Packages
You can combine any of the 5 above sponsorship opportunities to create the exposure that you require - for example a pitch side banner along with a programme banner. To reflect this commitment, we would offer general discounts to our prices as follows;
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
We also have annual competitive and fundraising events including the renowned Howe Sevens, Ball and Sportsmen dinners which offer individual opportunities for sponsorship. We would contact you regarding these options and as a regular sponsor, offer you discounted rates for further sponsorship.
The Club is pleased to have a number of prestigious corporate sponsors. a detailed list of organisations actively involved with the club is detailed on the right. If you would like to enquire about sponsoring the team or indeed a match or match ball for any home games please contact:
John Morrow, Convener
Kedlock Farm Cottage,
Cupar
KY154PY
T 01334 654974 F 653749
Emailjohn.saltire@virgin.net