i believe that rugbytech are part of elverys so that probably wont happen with their involvement in the pgb. It would be nice to see the range expanded either under the rugbytech name or their other one rival. Shirts, pullovers, ties etc, anything really.

Hopefully he moves us away from rugbytec

swift4prez wrote: Tuesday, 31 January 2012 15:14

Connacht recruits former WRU executive.

Connacht Rugby, fresh off the back of their first Heineken Cup victory have signalled their intent by recruiting former WRU Executive, Alex Saul, to fill the newly created role of Head of Marketing. In what is seen as a major boost to Connacht Rugby’s off field aspirations, Alex Saul was successfully attracted from Wales by the Professional Games Board (PGB) in an executive search in the autumn of last year.

The Dublin man had been in the Welsh Rugby Union from late 2008 in the role of Group Sponsorship and Branding Manager and was recognised as making a major contribution to their commercial growth over the previous three years. In his time with the Union he was responsible for their Rugby World Cup commercial programme including the RWC Kit Launch, and for overseeing delivery of the RBS 6 Nations and Autumn Series campaigns. He was also credited with introducing 4 FTSE 100 companies to the WRU’s partner programme and developing a number of new strategic partnerships.

He joins the Connacht team with a vast amount of industry knowledge and experience having previously worked at European Rugby’s HQ, ERC, over a four year period before joining the Welsh Rugby Union in 2008.

His arrival sees a restructure in the organisation where he will work alongside current Commercial Manager Fiona Keys. Well respected Fiona, who moves to a new role focusing on commercial and sponsorship rights delivery, has been with the province for six years and has been commended for her work in bringing Connacht to its current level during that period. The two will work side by side to deliver on Connacht’s ambitious business plans.

Speaking on his recent appointment Alex said;

“I’m delighted to be here at Connacht Rugby. When the PGB approached me for this role (Head of Marketing) their belief and vision for the club made it a very easy decision for me to make the move across.”

“There is huge appetite for rugby in the province and I have been immediately struck by the passion and especially the loyalty of the fans here in the West of Ireland. That gives us a great base to work from and with the PGB’s support now is the time to drive the club to the next level.”

“I firmly believe that Connacht will become a force to be reckoned with both on and off the pitch and I will be working very closely with the PGB and Eric and his team to fully realise the potential here at the Sportsground.”

Speaking on behalf of the 3 man recruitment team Professional Games Board member Damian Devaney said:

“We knew the work Alex had done for the WRU, and ERC before that, and we knew we needed someone of that calibre for this post. Alex’s experience and expertise in rugby specific marketing will be a huge asset to Connacht Rugby. We saw filling that role with someone of Alex’s pedigree as a top priority and we are very happy to have him in situ as we implement the next phase of our plans for Connacht Rugby.”

Hopefully he has a few projects in mind already, there are a couple of things that certainly need improving if the Connacht Brand is to expand and generate additional revenue and as a result resources..

ummm, wrote: This story broke a week ago and the branch are only now announcing it. Poor show.

Rumours abound that a deal is verbally agreed but the branch wait until everything is signed and sealed before confirming/announcing it?

Much better than last year's Hagan/Stanley/insert-non-signing-of-choice kerfuffles. I think we should be congratulating them on learning from their mistakes.

This story broke a week ago and the branch are only now announcing it. Poor show.

Tuesday, 31 January 2012 15:14




Connacht recruits former WRU executive.

Connacht Rugby, fresh off the back of their first Heineken Cup victory have signalled their intent by recruiting former WRU Executive, Alex Saul, to fill the newly created role of Head of Marketing. In what is seen as a major boost to Connacht Rugby’s off field aspirations, Alex Saul was successfully attracted from Wales by the Professional Games Board (PGB) in an executive search in the autumn of last year.

The Dublin man had been in the Welsh Rugby Union from late 2008 in the role of Group Sponsorship and Branding Manager and was recognised as making a major contribution to their commercial growth over the previous three years. In his time with the Union he was responsible for their Rugby World Cup commercial programme including the RWC Kit Launch, and for overseeing delivery of the RBS 6 Nations and Autumn Series campaigns. He was also credited with introducing 4 FTSE 100 companies to the WRU’s partner programme and developing a number of new strategic partnerships.

He joins the Connacht team with a vast amount of industry knowledge and experience having previously worked at European Rugby’s HQ, ERC, over a four year period before joining the Welsh Rugby Union in 2008.

His arrival sees a restructure in the organisation where he will work alongside current Commercial Manager Fiona Keys. Well respected Fiona, who moves to a new role focusing on commercial and sponsorship rights delivery, has been with the province for six years and has been commended for her work in bringing Connacht to its current level during that period. The two will work side by side to deliver on Connacht’s ambitious business plans.

Speaking on his recent appointment Alex said;

“I’m delighted to be here at Connacht Rugby. When the PGB approached me for this role (Head of Marketing) their belief and vision for the club made it a very easy decision for me to make the move across.”

“There is huge appetite for rugby in the province and I have been immediately struck by the passion and especially the loyalty of the fans here in the West of Ireland. That gives us a great base to work from and with the PGB’s support now is the time to drive the club to the next level.”

“I firmly believe that Connacht will become a force to be reckoned with both on and off the pitch and I will be working very closely with the PGB and Eric and his team to fully realise the potential here at the Sportsground.”

Speaking on behalf of the 3 man recruitment team Professional Games Board member Damian Devaney said:

“We knew the work Alex had done for the WRU, and ERC before that, and we knew we needed someone of that calibre for this post. Alex’s experience and expertise in rugby specific marketing will be a huge asset to Connacht Rugby. We saw filling that role with someone of Alex’s pedigree as a top priority and we are very happy to have him in situ as we implement the next phase of our plans for Connacht Rugby.”

Major progress has been made off the field. Off the field we have become a more professional outfit. In fairness in the past I think we just had a shortage of personnel to drive the province forward off the field and imo a lack of willingness / joined up thinking from the top to drive it on in the manner it needed but hopefully thats behind us now.

This sounds good. However its only the tip of the iceberg, still a lot of work needed throughout the province, facilities are much better but still plenty of improvements to be made in that area. Merchandising has been a recurring problem.

Better call Saul

Leighton wrote: Though the appointment is welcome and we wish him well, I do think that the PGB deserve some credit for their efforts thus far. Three year security, Clan Terrace and Bar, new principle sponsor and players signing extended contracts to remain here. Also the sucessful ticket pricing of the season ticket this year made a huge difference to our fans.

We look forward to working with Mr. Saul in the coming weeks.

Bang on there Leighton. If you think about there has been very little grumbing towards the branch this season. A bit towards the management/team regarding results (not effort) so they are definately making progress.

Consultation will be the key to keeping the existing core and expanding into new markets...

Though the appointment is welcome and we wish him well, I do think that the PGB deserve some credit for their efforts thus far. Three year security, Clan Terrace and Bar, new principle sponsor and players signing extended contracts to remain here. Also the sucessful ticket pricing of the season ticket this year made a huge difference to our fans.

We look forward to working with Mr. Saul in the coming weeks.

This is great news. Badly needed, in my opinion.

As has already been stated, the on-pitch progress this season (other than our last win) has been disappointing, but almost everything involving off-pitch progress has been tremendous.

ummm, wrote: Saul a key appointment for Connacht Rugby

Connacht Rugby, fresh from a first victory in the Heineken Cup at the weekend have made a bold statement of their intent by appointing Alex Saul to the newly created role of Head of Marketing.

Saul previously worked as head of sponsorship and branding with the Welsh Rugby Union. He was involved there in six nations and Rugby World Cup commercial campaigns that would have positioned him as a senior figure in the commercial side of the game.

The role is expected to cover all off the field commercial activities, including merchandising sponsorship, ticketing and branding, as well as the management of external partnerships including with the IRFU.


via sportforbusiness.com/1056/vodafone-dublin-sos-munster-magnet/

i think he is very needed, we have very little merchandising apart from a ball and few flags.
hopefully he will sort out the mess with the jersey that we have every year when w dont have enough and there out in november,
id imagine that we will have a strong core of season tickets again next year even if were not in the HC, hope they will stay in the same prices. 130/150 was super super great value.
all the best were taking another step up and forward

Despite the run of defeats we had been on there have been so many positives this season. The ground looks better than ever, crowds and atmosphere growing, a nice crew of young players coming through and signed for a few years and bringing in people like Saul will make the province more and more professional. Gone are the days of the Hagan fiasco hopefully and with some intelligent recruitment this season the future is looking brighter. I know thats all fairly positive and there have been negatives this season but it is hard to be anything but positive after friday night.

Sounds very promising

I think this is a big positive. Ulster have come along in big strides since they've brought outside business men in and appointed them to major roles in the boardroom. I remember when they poached that lad who used to work for Coca Cola there was some mutterings but with the new stand and strong signings I think most will say it's been a big success. Hopefully Saul does a good job for us.

Saul a key appointment for Connacht Rugby

Connacht Rugby, fresh from a first victory in the Heineken Cup at the weekend have made a bold statement of their intent by appointing Alex Saul to the newly created role of Head of Marketing.

Saul previously worked as head of sponsorship and branding with the Welsh Rugby Union. He was involved there in six nations and Rugby World Cup commercial campaigns that would have positioned him as a senior figure in the commercial side of the game.

The role is expected to cover all off the field commercial activities, including merchandising, sponsorship, ticketing and branding, as well as the management of external partnerships including with the IRFU.


via sportforbusiness.com/1056/vodafone-dublin-sos-munster-magnet/