THE INSIDER | WEEK #5
24/04/2020
OFF THE TOP
Gordon Banks | Chief Community Officer
Firstly, we hope that this finds all members of the Saracens family safe and well and we send our sincere thanks to those within the family that are on the front line tackling this COVID-19 crisis.
It’s been an important week or so for the club as we have taken some further steps to try and reduce the financial impact of the current crisis and ensure a positive and sustainable future for our great club. You will not be surprised to hear that our people have responded positively to the difficult but necessary request for salary deferrals (for those earning over £75,000 per annum) and to the request for the majority of staff to be furloughed for a period of time. In tough times you see what people are made of and we are fortunate to have such loyal and commited staff at Saracens. The club will need to stay nimble and bold and be prepared to take the necessary steps in the weeks and months ahead to respond to the ever changing environment in which we all find ourselves, and we thank you as always for your support and loyalty as we do so.
Whilst we have no rugby at Allianz Park we have been working hard to find ways in which we can utilise the stadium facilities to support those tackling COVID-19 so we are particularly pleased to share below the official launch of our partnership with Compassion London.
PARTNERSHIPS NEWS
Lucy Englander | Head of Partnerships
Get your fix of rugby this weekend – don’t forget to tune in to our live stream delivered by GBA Services on Saturday at 15H00, where we relive the record-breaking Premiership Rugby semi-final from 2018 against Wasps!
There are so many amazing businesses that are thinking outside the box around how they are able to do their bit to help the fight against Covid19. Our Partners Nike are no different, working in collaboration with healthcare staff to produce PPE for frontline medical staff in the form of full-face shields and powered, air-purifying respirator (PAPR) lenses to protect against coronavirus. The Nike version of the full-face shield transforms elements of the brand’s footwear.
Last but by no means least, our partners at Greene King have opened their virtual pub this week – The Lock Inn! With 3 of our star players George Kruis, Will Skelton and Duncan Taylor formally opening it (virtually of course!). Aiming to bring the pub experience to your home, with weekly quizzes and much more.
Grab and drink and head over to The Lock Inn to find out more!
FOUNDATION
Kieran Crombie | Head of Saracens Sport Foundation
Covid-19 brought us new challenges. We could no longer deliver our life changing Get Onside project within the prisons as they were locked down. The beneficiaries inside the prisons don’t face the same lockdown as us. In fact, they have been confined to their cells for up to 23 hours a day. This led to the launch of our #LockdownLetters campaign. The idea was simple, we wanted as many members of the Saracens community to write a letter to our Get Onside beneficiaries, so that they knew, that they were not alone in this difficult and strange time.
In just two weeks we had over 74 letters sent to our beneficiaries in Feltham YOI and HMP The Mount. Letters were sent by Calum Clark, Will Fraser, as well as many of our partners on the project. Staff from BNP Paribas, Sir John Cass, Randstad, and previous participants on the Get Onside programme have written letters and cards to our beneficiaries.
In one of the responses to a #LockdownLetter the beneficiary writes about the importance of the project: “I really hope that you find all the funding you need to carry on [the course] for years and years to come, it’s a powerful course and I hope 1000’s more get the opportunity to do it like I did, I really do believe in it and think it can change the lives of offenders”.
He then goes on to describe the current situation within the prison: “We are on 23 hour a day lock up – I think that’s nationally in all prisons until at least May. An hour out a day doesn’t bother me only the fact there’s no gym. So now my training consists of pull ups, dips on the handrails and a hell of a lot of push ups and sit ups! We have got to make do with what we have.”
A number of our participants have experienced being locked up in prisons repeatedly throughout their lives. Most will have lived chaotic lives with little family support. However, by taking the positive step of joining the Get Onside project they are looking to create a better life for themselves post-release. Our project provides education and employability, but as importantly it builds a set of core values and principles through the Saracens Way. On release, each beneficiary is given a mentor to give advice on everything from housing to employment.
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Stay safe everyone!
THE INSIDER | WEEK #4
17/04/2020
CLUB STATEMENT
Nigel Wray and Chairman Neil Golding spoke to the Saracens squad, coaches and senior staff about the pandemic and the devastating impact on businesses across the world it had had. Saracens are no different.
OFF THE TOP
Neil Ormondroyd | Allianz Park Events
Compassion London are now on site at Allianz Park in the kitchens cooking up to 10,000 hot meals per day for NHS staff, homeless shelters, single house-holds that are in dire need, Jewish Volunteering Network, Grief Encounters, Street Kids and many many more. All of the staff are volunteers and include chefs, kitchen support, drivers, business owners amongst others. Compassion London came to work at Allianz Park when children’s food author Annabel Karmel approached Nigel Wray with the idea of using Allianz Park to support this fantastic effort. Nigel jumped at the opportunity for Saracens to give back to NHS workers and our community by allowing Compassion London to use the space to create lovely meals for those who have been saving lives and risking their own lives to do so. Providing meals with good nutritional value is a really important way that we can help.
FROM THE TRAINING GROUND
Lewis Hancock | Media & Communications Manager
Need your next book in isolation? Ben Earl has got you covered as he chats through five must-reads to keep the mind engaged.
As well as playing scrum-half for Saracens Women, Jade Knight also works as a midwife and is currently on the frontline of the fight against coronavirus. She recently joined Sara Orchard on the BBC Rugby Union Weekly podcast to discuss her career and the present situation.
PARTNERSHIPS NEWS
Lucy Englander | Head of Partnerships
We have teamed up with our partners Made for Drink to deliver the ultimate game to pass the time during lock down! Introducing Saracens Women Top Trumps, which pulls together match stats from the last three seasons of the Tyrrells Premier 15s, as well as player’s #TogetherSince date.
Normal Top Trumps rules apply with the exception of the #TogetherSince date, where the earlier it is the better. Have a go and download the cards at the link here: https://www.saracens.com/saracens-women-top-trumps/
If you have ordered anything from our online store recently, you will have received a lovely surprise in your delivery – Made for Drink have kindly given a pack of both of their flagship flavours into each of the orders for you to have a try!
Thank you to the team at Made for Drink for all your support!
FOUNDATION
Will Fraser | Director of The Saracens Way
Hello everyone, I hope that you are all well and staying safe in this very surreal time we find ourselves in.
I was asked to write a piece for this newsletter that gave an update on The Saracens Way and how we are dealing with the current situation but in all honesty, unfortunately The Saracens Way has been extremely quiet as a result of the salary cap scandal. Although this has been far from ideal, it has given me the opportunity to get involved with other areas of the club, in particular the Get Onside programme with the Saracens Sports Foundation which has been amazing and is what I briefly want to talk to you about.
The Get Onside programme goes into prisons and uses rugby, its values and ethos as a way of helping to rehabilitate inmates and help them reintegrate back into society. I have been a part of the program for a couple years now, running five sessions throughout the eight-week course, but with the extra time I have had I have been able to get much more involved in the programme.
Get Onside has been running very successfully at Feltham YOI for a number of years and as a result has looked to expand into adult jails looking to start with HMP The Mount, which meant that I was doubly fortunate this year that I was able to part of the programme in a brand new prison.
Due to Covid-19 unfortunately this course was cut short, but in the time I was there I was able to see and hear first-hand the stories behind how and why the residents have found themselves in the situation that they are in, the immense personal and collective changes that they went through and gain a huge appreciation for the effort that not only the guys on the course put in, but also for the impact that the Saracens Sport Foundation can have on people.
Get Onside has been led by Sam Cloud who was absolutely fundamental to the success of the program in the Mount. His ability to talk, debate and converse with the group meant that they felt valued and listened too which as a result, led to wholesale changes in their outlooks on life.
If there is one good thing to come out of a season that has seen us relegated, ridiculed due to the salary cap scandal and kept us all indoors for the foreseeable future, it is that in spite of these things, as a club, as a foundation, as a collective group of people we are still able to positively impact people’s lives… the people that really need it.
I look forward to hopefully seeing you all soon at AP, a local pub or just bumping into each other but in the meantime stay safe, stay home and take care.
Stay safe everyone!
THE INSIDER | WEEK #3
10/04/2020
OFF THE TOP
Tom Mercey | Director & Owner of Premier Team Promotions
I have had the pleasure of working with my business partner (and wife) Lucy in growing our group Premier Team Promotions. At its humble beginnings it was an eventing group run by two people – now some seven years on we are a sporting rights holder and entertainment group (spanning events, sport (rugby and netball) and esports). Our most recent chapter in the PTP story has been working with the Saracens Exco team – clearly in the blood for both Lucy and I. At the heart of our organisation are ‘people’ – Lucy and I (as well as our board) are resolute around one thing – you are only as good as those around you. Looking at Saracens in isolation it is amazing to think of just how big the wider community is; across all the wide ranging projects that are run – from elite rugby (both Men’s and Women’s) to the smallest of community programmes (that often have the BIGGEST impact). We are hugely fortunate to have some brilliant people in the family.
As many of you will have known the last eight months have not been plain sailing at Saracens. The chronology of events that have ensued have been tough to say the least; with the latest in the line of bumps (if not high hurdles) being COVID-19. We certainly don’t want to dwell on the past but rather we are focusing 100% of our efforts on getting through this current global crisis.
This will not be easy and I think if you look at the global situation and ongoing expenditure trying to keep the UK economy afloat this is not going to be a quick fix.
At times like this I strongly believe relationships get you through this – how you treat people at the toughest of times is often a defining moment. This will not be easy, there will be pain but as an Exec team we are working on a way out. All we can ask for at present is patience. We would also like to again thank you, our supporters, for your unwavering support during these most testing of times.
If I could sign off by paying tribute to one of our Saracens Pioneers that sadly passed away on the 6th April – Luigi Ruggiero had been with us for a long time and I know his family, the Pioneers and all at Saracens will miss him hugely. Sadly, I am sure he will be one of many of the wider rugby community that will be impacted by this virus.
PS – If we can take this opportunity to stress current government guidance ‘#StayAtHome and stay safe’.
FROM THE TRAINING GROUND
Lewis Hancock | Media & Communications Manager
What are the players and coaches up to?
“The players are all safe and well at home with their families. The squad have been given strength and conditioning programmes to maintain their fitness ahead of a return to full training and have been in regular contact with staff throughout this period. They are all eager to get back on the field but understand the importance of social distancing and this unprecedented situation.”
Ali Crossdale: Newfound Confidence
Academy graduate Ali Crossdale discusses injury, opportunities, New Zealand and a newfound confidence in our latest player feature.
PARTNERSHIPS NEWS
Lucy Englander | Head of Partnerships
You are all clearly missing rugby as much as we are! A huge number of you tuned in to the livestreams of both our Men’s and Women’s games last weekend. Do not fear, we will be back this weekend with two fantastic fixtures! On Saturday you will have the chance to enjoy Saracens Men take on Gloucester in the final match of the 2017/18 regular season at midday. On Sunday we are screening last season’s Saracens Women semi-final against Wasps FC Ladies at 15H00. A huge thank you to our partners GBA Services and Cavendish Brook for your support in delivering our livestreams.
You may have seen that earlier this year we announced our first Principal Partner of Saracens Women. Made for Drink are a small family business run by a fantastic team, who have the humble ambition to make the world’s best bar snacks. Well in our view they’ve done exactly that! Made for Drink are kindly offering 20% off their wonderful products which can be redeemed at www.madefordrink.com with the discount code “WOLFPACK” – give them a go, you won’t regret it! The Chorizo Thins are a personal favourite!
FOUNDATION
Kieran Crombie | Head of Foundation
“Thank you all at Saracens, I miss our classes so much but so good to know you are there for all of us.” – Love to Dance participant.
It has been just over two weeks since the Saracens Sport Foundation launched the #TogetherActive video series to support their beneficiaries during these times of isolation. The feedback so far has been incredible from our beneficiaries with many tuning in on a daily basis to the Foundation’s YouTube Channel to take part in a variety of inclusive exercise videos.
At the start of the week, we were delighted to have the Herts Sports Partnership commit their support to the #TogetherActive series by becoming a project partner. Having the Herts Sports Partnership on board is a massive bonus for us with their wealth of experience in the sport for change landscape. We hope that with their support we can continue to engage our beneficiaries during these difficult times and hope to reach an even wider audience.
This week, we have had another jam packed schedule of inclusive activities for all the family to enjoy such as; Street Dance, PE Games and a Kitchen Cupboard Workout! Please follow the Saracens Sports Foundation’s social media channels for more updates on the #TogetherActive series and please share with your family and friends to stay active during these difficult times!
So far, the #TogetherActive series has had over 10,000 views on YouTube and raised in excess of £1,000 for the Saracens Sport Foundation. Some of these donations have come directly through the #TogetherActive fundraising page with all the money going directly back into programmes to support the most in need within our community and transform people’s lives. If you can, please consider making a donation by following this link http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/TogetherActive. Thank you and stay safe.
MARKETING
Clare Ludlow | Marketing Manager
Don’t miss out on the Great Shock Doctor Egg Hunt this Easter weekend! We’ve teamed up with our partners Shock Doctor to hide Easter eggs all over saracens.com. Simply find and click on each egg for the chance to win a special Shock Doctor prize. Happy hunting!
*The Great Shock Doctor Egg Hunt runs from Friday 10th April – Monday 13th April. First 100 fans to find all the eggs will win a Shock Doctor prize.
Stay safe everyone!
THE INSIDER | WEEK #2
03/04/2020
OFF THE TOP
Richard Gregg | Operations Director
I am hugely privileged as Operations Director at Saracens to have a leadership role overseeing the daily operations of the organisation. Having responsibility for the quality of facilities and service levels at Allianz Park, I am grateful to be working with a fantastic network of operational staff across various divisions, that allows us to positively influence the business and ensure we operate to a level of excellence. Ultimately my team aim to ensure that, for the 1.5 million visitors and users of the stadium over the last seven years, both staff and customer satisfaction are met every time they come to site. My key areas of responsibility are extensive, covering facility management, health & safety, HR, IT, catering, staff training and match day / event operations. Further to this I work closely on our women’s division and have board responsibilities for both Saracens Women and the Saracens Mavericks.
I have been around a while at Saracens (nearly 15 years), facing various challenges over these years which I have always enjoyed overcoming in collaboration with great people. The immediate ones that come to mind include the hanging of a giant banner off the roof of the East Stand without obstructing anyone’s view (for our first EPCR quarter final with Glasgow) and then the colossal effort of using all our staff to clear eight inches of snow from the pitch, so that the postponed game with Clermont could take place 24 hours later. With Covid-19 we are currently going through the biggest challenge to date and very much look forward to opening our doors again and enjoying the coming together of our amazing community. We have currently restricted all access to site and the stadium has become a strangely quiet and airy place, which is a great contrast to the usual busy site we are responsible for managing. During this time, we are continuing to explore how the facility can be maximised and open again as soon as possible whilst we wait for rugby and sport generally to resume. I can assure you all measures and maintenance are in place so that when that time comes we are geared up to welcome you back in style.
FROM THE TRAINING GROUND
Lewis Hancock | Media & Communications Manager
A message from Club Captain Brad Barritt
“Good afternoon to the Saracens family,
We find ourselves in an unprecedented period and it’s important we do whatever we can to protect one another. That starts by staying at home.
As a rugby player, not being out on the training field every day is a really different experience and something I haven’t been without, since I was a teenager, other than the summers and long term injuries, and I’m sure you feel the same, not being able to partake in normal society.”
PARTNERSHIPS NEWS
Lucy Englander | Head of Partnerships
Live Streaming – Saracens v Clermont
If you are anything like us, you will be really missing your weekly dose of rugby! Hopefully the team will be back on the pitch very soon but until that time and to get your fix, we will be streaming your favourite Saracens fixtures from the past on a weekly basis.
Don’t miss this week’s selection, Saracens vs Clermont Auvergne European Cup final 2017!
Tune in to our social media channels and website at 17H00 this Saturday 4th April to watch!
These games will be delivered to you by our Official Logistics Partner GBA Services – thank you team!
News in Short – In case you missed it
RFU STATEMENT: FINAL LEAGUE STANDINGS
RFU confirms final league positions for professional and community game for 2019/20 season.
SARACENS WOMEN STATEMENT: TYRRELLS PREMIER 15S
Following the announcement by the RFU, the 2019/20 Tyrrells Premier 15s season has been declared null and void, we have prepared a short statement.
Stay safe everyone!
THE INSIDER | WEEK #1
27/03/2020
Check out all the latest news from Allianz Park. Updates from the Chief Community officer about the West Stand. Hear from the Marketing Director about season tickets and hospitality packages. Find out the latest news from the Training Ground.
WEST STAND UPDATE
Gordon Banks | Chief Community Officer
Keeping you up to speed with plans for our New West Stand
As you would imagine during these very uncertain times when the country is dealing with the COVID-19 crisis, our West Stand project is on a temporary pause to allow all partners involved to focus on the wellbeing of their people and the survival of their organisations. We have outstanding partners in Middlesex University and the London Borough of Barnet and all of us are committed to delivering the West Stand as soon as possible. Once we have some certainty over the resumption of professional rugby and events at the stadium then we will sit down with our partners to map out a revised timeline for the delivery of the new West Stand and we will of course share this with you.
SEASON TICKETS AND HOSPITALITY PACKAGE
Alex Gummer | Marketing Director
Huge thanks to over 2,000 season ticket holders and hospitality supporters who have completed recent feedback surveys.
The surveys have provided a huge amount of positive data and ideas to help us shape next season’s packages and products. With over 44% of respondents telling us they will be renewing their tickets outright and 48% telling us they would renew providing we focus on the right benefits and price points. Many season ticket holders also wanted to understand how they can help the club in this difficult time and we’re working on an optional ‘commitment package product’ to provide a method for supporters to contribute even further to the club in return for a range of new benefits. A common piece of feedback we received was that supporters wanted to understand how seasonal packages would develop over the next three seasons and how loyalty and tenure as seasonal supporters can be best recognised and rewarded. This is a critical part of our thinking and we are working on a range of options to address this challenge.
With the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, timelines for the rollout of the new packages are uncertain. In the meantime, we will be seeking further feedback from supporters to ensure the products are meeting your requirements and will keep you regularly updated.
FROM THE TRAINING GROUND
Lewis Hancock | Media & Communications Manager
Exclusive – Jackson Wray commits to the club
The thought of leaving Saracens never even occurred to Jackson Wray.
“I love it here,” he said. “I love working with all the lads that are here. I love the environment and how the club looks after people. My family are happy, my kids are happy, and I just love what the place is about.”
Jackson Wray
Billy Vunipola Interview
Billy Vunipola has spoken to Saracens.com about his commitment to the club, life in lockdown and his rehabilitation programme.
“We’ve got to sit tight and ride this out together by doing our bit for the club and society.”
Billy Vunipola
We hope you enjoyed this first edition.
Look after yourselves.
