Raeburn Shield
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@Davesofthunder how close are you to getting the shield made?
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@nzzp super close
Have designs for thr Raeburn and the folk who can do the work all lined up.
Just don't want to run reserves too low before ordering (wood is like £500 on its own before you even take into account cnc hire and shipping etc)
Hoping I can leverage a few names on the back in next few weeks (like £300 a go to be permanently engraved in rugby history!)
I have some trial metal engraved badges for the Utrecht Shield arriving jn next couple days so lining it all up that I have worked out kinks and can go at it when the cash flow is secure (I'm conservative in that I want to know there are always reserves to manage hosting, stock and whatever comes up)
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@Davesofthunder it is a neat idea
Q: have you considered pitching to rugby clubs? 300 quid is easier for most clubs to brand some history ...
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Have been trying to keep it to individuals or family names but clubs is a good shout to be fair.
Acts the same way as cementing a place in history and avoids some of the company bits I was worried about (and also protecting sponsorship opportunities for the future)
Have been looking at how to structure a "founding partner" sponsorship as ultimately if a business came in at this stage and helped make it happen they would be in the history books regardless of how long their sponsorship lasted
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have you had any correspondence from WR or national teams? any talk of it becoming "official", actually passed around like the Ranfurly?
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yeah, every so often i get in there and try and tag people like "the Rugby Guy", he seems to get a bit of inside access
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Have had a few chats with "power brokers" and they all agree it would be great for fans and add something for players but....
It has been really notable that typically the blocker is they cannot see how it pays them personally. It's crazy how much the management level are not in it for the fans anymore from some if the stuff I have witnessed.
My strategy is actually to sort of avoid world rugby at the moment as their beurocracy is likely to be unhelpful.
Instead I am trying to build a groundswell of reality around it with fans and then slide the shields into situations where they cannot be ignored.
Making great progress in the women's game and hoping to have the real Raeburn made in next 3 months which will help immensely.
So essentially the fans make it real and then the players pick it up. World Rugby will come to us at that point
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Check this out in terms of that strategy for the Utrecht Shield.
I have just been rocking up places with it and inserting myself into situations and that builds the story.
Good Scaz Rugby is a huge podcast in women's rugby so this was a huge win last week (also a personal fab pod so that was nice)
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Well this was not destined to be a long run this time!
Honestly now that they have it I would love for France to keep ot to the 6 Nations
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@Davesofthunder It gets a mention here:
198: The Raeburn Shield is a hypothetical trophy in rugby union, resembling a boxing World Title. It is named after Raeburn Place, the location of the first-ever international match between England and Scotland on March 27, 1871. The holder of the shield competes for it in every fixture. The All Blacks have won the shield more than any other country.
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@mikedogz That is freaking cool ☺️ Thanks for flagging, that is going on the social media tomorrow 💪🙌
I think it is better known amongst the rugby administrators than it appears. Have had a couple of people well connected who have said it is getting noticed and making waves but just keep at it. 🤞
I am aware how insane it is for one simple Kiwi boy to think he can just create an international rugby title 🤣
