Granger Reis’ Post

Irish Rugby.. Watching the Glasgow Warriors last night and this article it raised some questions and the need for some home truths- “Irish rugby has everything in place to be the most aligned rugby system in the world, yet there are clear signs that it’s been sorely lacking over the past four-year cycle and a lack of depth in key positions was obvious in Paris last October“ There are then questions around the IRFU’s crude commercialisation of the game alienating long standing supporters. Over hyping. Terrible athmosphere. It’s attitude to a range of issues from alcohol, concussion, gender and human rights. Does Irish rugby really challenge under performance on and off the field which should come with its new found commercialisation or is it still an old boys club albeit one the Irish tax payer subsidies? It’s true there’s excessive demand on tired players and poorer rugby but the golden period we have enjoyed in recent years may not last without the type of serious self reflection which preceded the professional era and which the IRFU is to be applauded for. Rugby is about more than money. Glasgow’s victory, a team with far less investment and hype than Leinster, really brought this out.

State of Rugby in Glasgow's East End: A Muddy Pitch and an Uphill Battle As a volunteer on the committee of our local club in Glasgow's East End, I witness firsthand the passion for the sport, despite being a clear minority in a city obsessed with football. We are the only rugby club in the east of Glasgow, within the city boundary, fostering a true grassroots movement. We build camaraderie and resilience on the pitch, but our biggest challenge isn't tackles or scrums – it's the state of the pitches themselves. Imagine this: you turn up for training, eager to hone your skills, and are greeted by a scene resembling a river. Mud reigns supreme, with puddles the size of small ponds threatening to swallow your boots whole. These aren't just damp patches – we're talking about pitches that resemble a tributary of the nearby Tollcross Burn after a heavy downpour. This is the reality for our club, the only two public rugby pitches available in the East End. And the kicker? They're council-owned, with access granted on a permission basis only. Here's the even more frustrating part. Millions have been recently poured into flood management in nearby areas through the City Region Deal. Yet, our pitches – the very foundation for nurturing future rugby talent – seem to have been completely overlooked and in fact become worse. The same thing has happened at the local Bowling Club too. Glasgow City Council, Scottish Water, SEPA – where's the support for grassroots sports like rugby? Open spaces are meant for recreation, not replicating the murky depths of a river! Basic geography tells you these shouldn't be overflowing with this much water. We're passionate, but we can't fight the tide (literally) on our own. Better player facilities are crucial for our dedicated coaches, volunteers, and most importantly, the future of rugby in Glasgow's East End. **#glasgowrugby #minoritysport #grassrootsstruggles #weneedbetterpitches**

Yesterday, I had the pleasure in my capacity as DoR at Farnham Rugby Club spend some time with the Director of Rugby from Guildford Rugby Club - Aidan Turns. A great meeting (as all the previous meetings from my local clubs have been) and enlightening on so many fronts!! A couple of headlines... 1. The Reality of Building a Rugby Legacy - Guildford Rugby Club has evolved from humble beginnings in 1922 to a thriving hub for rugby excellence. This growth is a testament to the dedication of players, coaches, volunteers and its community. 2. We discussed the Do’s and Don’ts of Rugby Club development... Don’ts: ❌ Don’t overlook the importance of youth development. ❌ Don’t neglect facility upgrades. ❌ Don’t be afraid to be a leader - deal with all manner of day to day ‘rugby stuff’ that lacks integrity or not within our sports values. Do’s: ✅ Invest in youth rugby (girls & boys) - it's important!!. ✅ Continuously upgrade facilities and look after your finances robustly. ✅ Foster a sense of community - always!! Guildford Rugby Club’s success stems from these core principles and in no small measure I am sure, down to Aidan and his team. Good luck over the forthcoming season (not to much luck - obviously🙏😂😂)!! #RugbySuccess #GuildfordRugby #ClubDevelopment #RugbyLegacy #GuildfordRugby #Commitment

The bank holiday weekend is here and we’ve got a bucketful of Piing coming to a major sports event near you. We’re mainly UK based this weekend with a touch of US, and as usual we’re covering a range of sports at some of the most exciting events on the calendar. We’ll be at the third leg of the Union Cycliste Internationale MTB World Series 2024 at Fort William, with adi.tv. Spectators in the fanzones can test their virtual MTB agility with our Mountain Bike game across the three days of the event, from today until Sunday. Football fans at Burnley FC will get to play our Footy Race and Footy Rebound games before their home match against Newcastle on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, down the M66 in Manchester, Man City will be using both Piing Pen-Kick and Piing Quiiz at the Etihad Stadium in the pre-match entertainment before the Wolves game on Saturday. The now regular and much anticipated half time Quiiz will keep fans at the Joie Stadium guessing when Man City Women’s team take on Arsenal on Sunday. Over the pond in the US, fans at Charlotte FC’s fifth home match against Portland in the MLS League will be playing Pen-Kick, in association with club sponsor Ally and MKTG. #events #EventGaming #InteractiveEntertainment #EventExperiences #EventPlanners #EventMarketing  #EngagingExperiences #EventTechnology #sportsTech #eventTech #massparticipation #brandengagement #brandactivation

💯 Blog post no. 💯 🏉 Discover the World's Top 10 Rugby Stadiums with Unforgettable Atmosphere! 🏟️ There’s nothing quite like the electric atmosphere of a packed rugby stadium – the roar of the crowd, the chants, and the pure energy on game day. From the historic grounds of Twickenham to the scenic views at Cape Town Stadium, my latest blog explores the Top 10 Rugby Stadiums that offer an incredible fan experience. These venues don’t just enhance the thrill of the game – they play a pivotal role in boosting revenue for teams and national rugby federations. In the blog, I highlight: -Stadium Atmosphere & Fan Engagement: Why certain stadiums stand out for their unique vibe. -Revenue Impact: How filled seats and game-day experiences contribute to financial growth for clubs and national teams. -Unforgettable Fan Moments: The role of these top stadiums in creating memories that keep fans coming back. -Dive into the world of rugby’s most iconic stadiums and see why these venues are crucial to the sport’s culture and economic health. Let’s celebrate the places that bring us closer to the game we love! 🏆 Click here to access the blog article: https://lnkd.in/g6UG_krg #Rugby #FanExperience #StadiumAtmosphere #SportsRevenue #Top10Stadiums #RugbyCulture #sportsbusiness #sportsmarketing #content #blogpost #writing

A different angle on the Fiji game, it’s a good read, #irishrugby #rugby #autumnnations2024 #rugbyunion: https://lnkd.in/e-venv3p

We are thrilled to announce a strategic partnership between "Geo Oval", a leading rugby talent agency, and "Wasserman", a powerhouse in sports management and marketing. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our commitment to elevating rugby talent on a global scale. By joining forces with "Wasserman", "Geo Oval" gains access to their extensive global network, marketing expertise, and a shared vision of developing top-tier talent and opportunities for rugby athletes. Together, we aim to provide our clients with unmatched career support, exposure, and resources to thrive in the competitive world of rugby. This partnership will strengthen our ability to offer exclusive sponsorship deals, professional growth, and new pathways for players to succeed both on and off the field. Stay tuned for more exciting updates as we continue to push the boundaries of rugby excellence. #GeoOval #Waserman #RugbyPartnership #TalentManagement #SportsExcellence #GlobalNetwork #RugbyCareer

You know, when we talk about Alistair Brownlee’s selfless act during that triathlon, it really hits home how sometimes the most memorable moments aren’t about the wins. It’s about the times we decide to put others first. Imagine you’re in a situation where you're just inches away from achieving something great, but you see a friend, or even a stranger, struggling. What would you do? In our everyday lives, we often face choices where we can either look out for ourselves or lend a hand to someone else. At work, it might be as simple as helping a colleague with their project even if it means putting in a few extra hours. Or, it could be as big as standing up for a friend in need, even if it might cost you something. What Alistair did goes beyond sports. It’s a reminder that success isn’t just about crossing the finish line first. It's about the journey, the people we meet along the way, and the lives we touch. His act of kindness shows that sometimes, the most impactful thing you can do is to support others, even if it means sacrificing your own goals. Maybe there’s someone at your workplace who could use a bit of support, or a friend who needs a shoulder to lean on. By taking that extra step to help, you’re creating moments that go far beyond personal achievements. You’re building a community, fostering trust, and making the world just a little bit kinder. Success isn’t just about personal glory. It's also about lifting others up and making sure no one gets left behind. Those are the moments that truly define us.

We are delighted to announce our new Legal Column in the ever-growing Sportin Wales magazine. Catch us on page 31, where Rhys Williams shares expert advice on navigating commercial property leases in Wales for prospective tenants. #LegalAdvice #CommercialProperty #NewColumn