Stratford Park backs Bromsgrove RFC

A rugby club which has been at the heart of its community for more than 150 years has received a boost from a new sponsorship deal with an independent hotel.

Bromsgrove RFC, which was founded in 1872, has sealed new kit sponsorship from The Stratford Park Hotel and Golf Club.

The name of the hotel is now emblazoned on the shorts for both senior teams, which play in the fifth and seventh tiers of English rugby.

Stratford Park Hotel and Golf Club is a 14th century country farmhouse hotel surrounded by its own 18-hole golf course. The 32-bed hotel also features an onsite wedding venue, known as The Meadow Barn, and is set in 150 acres of Warwickshire countryside.

Stratford Park has also sponsored two players, Tom Cubitt and Rhys Morris. It is the first time that the hotel has sponsored Bromsgrove RFC, with senior figures at the hotel also giving their time to support the club.

Bromsgrove RFC is run in the most part by volunteers. The community club has teams ranging from under six to Crusaders, which is Bromsgrove’s veterans’ teams. There are 400 children in its comprehensive mini and junior’s section.

Across all its teams, the club supports more than 500 people to play rugby, with its clubhouse also providing an important venue in the local community for wedding, wakes, baby classes and more.

Clare Foster, who has been Chairman of Bromsgrove RFC for three seasons, said that the support of businesses is crucial to helping the club to achieve its ambitions.

She said: “We’re really grateful to Stratford Park Hotel and Golf Club for the support they have given us and backing from businesses is absolutely vital for the club.

“As a club we don’t have a huge financial backing, therefore sponsorship deals like this enable us to continue to help hundreds of people in Bromsgrove and the surrounding area to play and enjoy their rugby.

“We’ve invested heavily in our academy in recent years to give more young people the chance to play rugby. The academy prides itself on being inclusive and giving everyone a chance to train and play.

“We are run by 99 per cent volunteers, with only a few paid staff. We raise money from activities held in our clubhouse and events, but the rest of the support is from our sponsors.

“Stratford Park has also kindly agreed to sponsor the arrival drinks for our ladies’ lunch event in November. We’re always looking for support from businesses, no matter how small, and are always grateful for any support we get.”

Bromsgrove RFC also held a golf-day at Stratford Park Hotel & Golf Club earlier this year.

Beverley Haynes, General Manager of Stratford Park Hotel and Golf Club, said: “For more than 150 years this is a club that has been giving people the opportunities to play rugby and experience the physical, mental and social benefits of team sport.

“Two Premiership clubs from the Midlands have folded recently, so we wanted to support a grassroots club that plays a very good standard of rugby and has strong beliefs in encouraging rugby is for all.

“While we are based over in Stratford, Bromsgrove RFC’s reputation is known across the Midlands region and I have been supporting the club in any way possible for a few years now.

“It felt like the natural step to formalise that support and come on board as a kit sponsor for the first time. We are proud to sponsor Bromsgrove RFC and would encourage other businesses to show support for their local sports club.”