Feature
our minds. They want to be the best player
they can be at whatever level they’re at. You
still get the camaraderie and social culture that
rugby has, but in a very different way. Fitness,
nutrition, injury recovery – all these kinds of
things become elements on the table for your
potential exhibitors.”
The intended audience for the show ranges
from fans to grassroots players and the people
running clubs across the country, with the
strapline, ‘for the players, for the fans, for
the game’. According to figures from Sport
England, England alone has around 1.4 million
amateur rugby players – a significant potential
visitor base.
When it comes to the clubs, the relationship
is something akin to the B2B show dynamic –
“the clubs have to buy essential kit to enable
them to be a club, the consumer rugby players
have money to spend on the game, but can be
flexible in what they spend it on”, says Tranter
– with players and fans it becomes more like
that of a consumer show.
Outside of the sales aspect of the show, there
will also be a range of demos and interactive
elements at the show.
“It’s all about interaction and engagement,”
explains Tranter. “I’m going to use 6,000sqm
at the Ricoh plus the pitch, where we’ll do live
demos.”
The show will also have a pitch feature on
the show floor for demonstrations, use of the
Wasps rugby team treatment room at the venue
for visitors to potentially consult with a sports
physio and player James Haskell talking health
and nutrition with a chef preparing meals live.
Finally, we discuss Tranter’s position on
Left to right:Lawrence Dallaglio,
Sarah Hunter, Maggie Alphonsi
“If you really love
something, you
have to think, ‘am I
doing this because
I love it or is there a
business here?’”
Confirmed speakers
James Haskell
Sarah Hunter
Lawrence Dallaglio OBE
Maggie Alphonsi MBE
corporate social responsibility in relation to 73
Media.
“I want to give a good proportion of the
profit that we make away to a meaningful
charity, in this case Dallaglio RugbyWorks
[founded by former England World Cup-
winning captain Lawrence Dallagio], which
works with permanently excluded young
people. It’s a charity I can give money to which
really makes a difference and which is related
to the heart of what the show is all about.
“It’s not just talking about CSR, it’s about
making a difference.”
Dallagio comments: “I am delighted to be
working with 73 Media and The Rugby Show.
It is going to be an incredible event for any
rugby fan. I am enormously grateful that they
have chosen to support Dallaglio. This will go
towards helping some of the UK’s hardest to
reach teenagers to help them get a job, build a
career and secure long-term stability through
the values of rugby.
“The support of 73 Media and The Rugby
Show will make a big difference to the lives of
young people across the UK who are often not
given a first, let alone a second chance at life.”
The final piece of The Rugby Show puzzle
is in the partnerships Tranter has created.
Working with premiership clubs like Wasps,
grassroots clubs, industry partners, several
rugby industry publications and social media
influencers. All told, it’s a social media reach of
close to two million.
Ultimately, The Rugby Show aims to do what
any successful consumer event does: build a
community, fulfil a need and provide a truly
unrivalled experience for visitors and fans. EN
April — 31