"Patron" Rugby Unions
The Bill McLaren Foundation is asking all rugby unions worldwide to support its aims. It is with this in mind that we have written to every rugby union – to ask if they will do us the honour of becoming a “Patron Union”.
In September 2010, the Trinidad & Tobago Rugby Football Union were the first union to sign up with their President, Leslie Figaro, saying:
"We are pleased to confirm that the TTRFU is willing to be a Patron Union and that we support the aims of the Foundation which are similar to ours."
We sent this letter to the Presidents of all the Rugby Unions.... If your Rugby Union is not listed here - and it should be - please get in touch.
Dear President,
Rugby broadcaster Bill McLaren meant a great deal to so many of us in the rugby world. He was a man who represented all that is best about rugby union and was known as “The Voice of Rugby” not just because of the beauty of his tone and the delight of his imaginative phrasing, but because he portrayed our game as we would always wish it to be.
Before he died, he gave his backing to the Bill McLaren Foundation set up in his name. With the continued support of his family, the Foundation aims:
- To develop and promote the sport of rugby union and its values
- To encourage and provide sporting opportunities for young people
- To create an educative centre which will include the Bill McLaren Archive
The Foundation launched in March 2010 and we are currently in a fundraising stage. We have a number of strands to our current strategy, the most important of which is to build a base of support throughout the rugby playing world, through our Supporters’ Club. There are individual, club, school and corporate categories with modest annual fees pitched at a level to encourage universal participation and involvement.
The Bill McLaren Foundation is asking all rugby unions worldwide to support these aims. It is with this in mind that we are writing to you – to ask if you will do us the honour of becoming a “Patron Union”. There is no financial obligation sought from our Patron Unions.
What we would like you to do…
- Honour Bill’s name by agreeing that your Union supports the aims of the Foundation
- Provide us with your logo/images and a quote which we can use to announce your endorsement
- Introduce and promote the Foundation to your members whether through your website (preferably a web link), email, print publications or any other medium.
We wish to work in conjunction with our Patron Union and as such our future plans include ambassadors, events and fundraising initiatives which will be mutually beneficial to both parties. Many Unions already support and work with affiliated charities. We do not wish to replace those charities, on the contrary, we would see our involvement increasing opportunities and revenue for all involved. More details will be announced as they become available.
The Bill McLaren Foundation trustees include Bill’s daughter Linda Lawson, mother of Gloucester and Scottish international scrum half Rory Lawson, and International and Lions’ players Andy Irvine and John Rutherford. Our sponsors to date include The Famous Grouse, Scottish Widows Bank, Johnstons Cashmere, and Newton Investment Management.
Please do us the honour of joining us, by emailing Foundation secretary John Thorburn – john@billmclarenfoundation.co.uk,
With Kind Regards,
Linda Lawson, Andy Irvine, John Rutherford & Malcolm Murray