It is a very exciting time at your club, The Chicago Lions RFC. We have just concluded our AGM with a renewed sense of purpose and re-vitalized approach to our old boys and supporters. We are in the midst of a Division 1 fall season with many new, young talented players beginning to emerge and make a name for themselves. The Lions have been on recruiting games/clinics to Notre Dame and Indiana so far, with more university visits to come. Our 7′s team made another run at the national title and we have strong prospects for next summer’s 7′s season. In fact, we have two of our 7′s players—Matt DeGutes & Rocco Mauer–invited to Eagles training camp coming up in the next few weeks. All of this bodes well for the upcoming run at the Super League title next spring!
Another important news item is that as of 10/1/10, the Lions website (www.chicagolions.com) has been updated thanks to the efforts of Paul Mycroft, Patrick O’Reilly, Duncan Blowers, Vaughan Palelei and Matt Priest, to name a few of the key contributors. This update is being done to bring us into the current digital age; and, the main goal of the website is to spread information about the Chicago Lions. We must have a website that consists of a home page with these key features:
- links to sponsors,
- schedule page (training & games) with locations,
- shopping page for Lions branded apparel & gear,
- alumni page with Grey Lions games & highlighting different Alumni,
- ever growing sponsorship page,
- player profiles of current players,
- how to join Lions RFC,
- dedicated 7s page,
- current blog,
- current game footage & photos,
- links to numerous other rugby related sites, and
- links to personnel social media (IE, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.)
Our intention is to build our brand and improve our networking capabilities so that we can reach our contacts that are already spread far & wide….our current Active Lions database has over 700 names, but when you realize the contacts and links that each of us has, it quickly reaches the thousands!
In addition to introducing the revitalized website, we also want to inform you of our new business network that may affect the companies, networks and industries that some of our Lions brotherhood already share as owners, employees, consultants, contractors, sponsors, etc. We would like to work with Chicago Lions Club members first focusing on industries where our network can help solicit referral business as a preferred vendor of the Chicago Lions. For example, some businesses: tradesmen, realtors, builders, dentists, bankers, consultants, insurance agents, etc. We’d like to offer members of the Lions family the first opportunity to apply for the network. We have set a closing date of 31st October for Lions applications. After that, we will solicit these types of businesses outside of the Lions family.
If you or anyone you know would be interested in this opportunity, please contact:
Duncan Blowers
Tel: +1 630 787 0650
Fax: +1 630 787 0652
Mobile: +1 312 576 1363
Duncan.Blowers@rexson.co.uk
Patrick O’Reilly
612.991.1267
Since 1964, the Chicago Lions RFC has been a standard bearer for the rugby in the United States as we were instrumental in forming MWRFU, USAR and RSL; and, current and former Lions have served in senior capacities in those and other rugby organizations. We have always had a strong playing side with an illustrious list of former Eagle players and coaches. And, the Lions are one of the few teams to support RSL, 7s and D1 sides and compete successfully at the highest levels. Our recent partnership with the Chicago Hope Academy has given us access to the top quality rugby pitch and clubhouse and the chance to develop a high school rugby program for the Hope kids. All of this has earned us national acclaim, but the one area where we struggle, like many others is developing a solid base of financial support that allows the Lions to compete year round at the highest levels of the game. The message above details some of things were doing to address this perennial problem, but key to any effort is the support of our membership. By reaching out to all Lions, past and present, and building on those personal and social connections, we can build a solid business case for expanding your business…and helping the Lions at the same time. Please help us build on the franchise of success and prepare for a challenging future.
Keith J. Brown
Executive Vice President
Klaff Realty, LP
122 South Michigan Avenue
Suite 1000
Chicago, IL 60603
312.360.3115 (work)
312.360.0606 (fax)
312.952.1028 (mobile)
Get social with the Lions!