Supporting Diversity and Inclusion in sport.

Hi, my name is Gemma. We are raising funds for the Cardiff Lyons IGA Rugby Team. We are raising funds for Duncan Cameron, an IGA Rugby League team member.

The Cardiff Lions were the first gay-inclusive rugby team in Wales when we were founded on St. David’s Day in 2004. In the 18 years since then, we have grown and now have two teams playing and training regularly. The Welsh Rugby Union does not manage the leagues we play in – our leagues fall under IGR (International Gay Rugby). As there are now 30+ IGR teams across the UK, we have been placed into the Southern League, meaning we play matches against all teams in Wales and the south of England. This means that we can be anywhere from Swansea to Brighton and Coventry to Plymouth – so there is a lot of travel involved with the Club.

Our 1st XV are the current IGR British Champions – having won both the Southern League and the Grand Final against the Northern League champions. We hope to continue this success and build on it, as in May 2023, we will be travelling to Birmingham to compete in the Union Cup – a tournament for IGR teams from all over Europe to come together and compete in.

The rugby club provides a place for people to get together socially and enjoy playing rugby. Some players have been involved in rugby for 20+ years; others have never picked up a rugby ball and are just learning. We find that most people who join the Lions used to play in school, but as a result of feeling uncomfortable with their sexuality or having been bullied, they stopped playing and had a long break from the game. The Lions are there to welcome people back into rugby and allow people of all sexualities to feel comfortable and confident in playing again in an inclusive environment. We welcome everyone to play and have gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary and heterosexual members.

Everything we do as a Club is self-funded by the membership, with some income from fundraising, sponsorship and grants. With the travel involved in our league, getting to and from games can be very costly. With 60+ players and supporters, there are considerable equipment and playing kit costs required to maintain our performance and the level at which we play.

This year we are taking a new approach to our sponsorship and have developed different sponsorship tiers to attract new sponsors. These tiers are:

Bronze Package (£250):

• Two weeks’ advertisement via all social media platforms (exposure to over 7000 followers). Your organisation’s logo and the tag will be included in three of our weekly posts: a featured ‘Sponsors Spotlight’ post, a team announcement and our match day team photo/results post.

• Your logo will be added to and located on our website, redirecting to your website.

• Match day pitch-side advertisement via your organisation’s banner.

Silver Package (£500):

• Three weeks’ advertisement via all social media platforms (exposure to over 7000 followers). Your organisation’s logo and the tag will be included in three of our weekly posts: a featured ‘Sponsors Spotlight’ post, a team announcement and our match day team photo/results post.

• Your logo will be added to and located on our website, redirecting to your website.

• Your logo will be included on our match day social polo shirts. These will be worn after all matches, offering both national and international (whilst competing at the IGR Union Cup) advertisement.

Gold Package (£800):

• As per Bronze and Silver Packages, but offering five weeks’ advertisement via social media platforms.

• Your logo will be added to and located on our website, redirecting to your website.

• Your name and logo will be advertised on a sign attached to our permanent pitch-side container (sign printing cost included). Note: We are based at Cardiff Harlequins RFC (Whitchurch, Cardiff), where multiple weekly divisional matches (seniors, women, youth, minis & juniors) are played.

Bespoke Package (Negotiable):

This package provides the opportunity to converse and negotiate on how we can assist you in your endeavours and how you can aid us financially. This package will feature constant and active communication between us and will seek a package that is mutually beneficial for us both.