Sponsorship Brochure 2011

Who are the Sabres?

Our club, the 2009 Sheffield Sports Club of the Year, offers students the chance to play American Football, the UK’s fastests growing sport. 2007 and 2009 saw the sabres were crowned Division Champions, with just one defeat all season, and strong campaigns in 2008 and 2010 leading to winning seasons and the playoffs.

In the 2009/10 season, the club had over 75 members, making us one of the largest sports clubs at the University. We also have close ties with the Sheffield Sabrecats cheerleader club, which has over 100 members.

The club plays in the BUAFL, one of the fastest growing leagues in the country, with over 60 teams and 3500 players participating nationally. The Sabres have made the playoffs for four consecutive seasons and are widely recognised as one of the nation’s leading programmes.

A Community Club

The Sabres are incredibly proud to be more than just a sports club.

In the last two years the club has raised £2334 through bag packing, and with the help of our charity sponsor Encore Envelopes. This money was donated to Sheffield and Leeds Hospitals.

The club also participates in an outreach programme, taking American Football into Newfield Comprehensive School, with a weekly after-school coaching session.

Thirdly, the club took part in a Changing Rooms style makeover of Angleton Community Centre.

Major Events for the 20010/11 Season:

Sports Fayre:

A showpiece event attended by over 8000 students, this event offers a prime sponsorship opportunity. Last year the club handed out over 1000 flyers to students. This year the event will be held on the 24th of September.

Annual Old Boys Match & Events:

This event draws a large number of graduates to Sheffield to compete against the Sheffield Sabres. The formal dinner is the perfect opportunity to get company exposure to a large number of graduates.

Volunteering:

The Sabres have close ties with Sheffield Volunteering and the Sheffield Hospitals Charitable Trust, following our extensive work this year. We will be looking to develop upon this in the upcoming season.

Varsity Challenge:

The Sabres have a competitive but friendly relationship with our cross-city rivals. Being a headline act in 2007, this event always attracts a large crowd, and over 4000 people got involved in Varsity in 2010.

Social Events:

The Sabres have an extensive social calendar with 50 members regularly attending University and city centre venues.  We also get together with other sports teams in particular the cheerleading club.

Sponsorship Opportunities:

In order to achieve the goals of the club and also those of the potential sponsors, we have packages prepared that you may be interested in:

• Renaming the Club -  The Sheffield [Your Name] Sabres. Every time the club’s name is printed in the press or online, your company will be mentioned.
• Match-wear sponsorships – logo on helmets of game shirts. Your name will be easily viewable by match day supporters and in any photographs released in the local papers and/or our website.
• Leisurewear sponsorships – Club hoodies, polos, jackets, t-shirts, etc. Sporting your name on our merchandise around campus, including the campuses of the universities we travel to.
• Logos on Banners/Posters/Flyers -  We have several banners which we sport on our away day bus, on our home sideline and at promotional events.
• Sports Fayre – Banners/Posters/Flyers on and around our stand. This event brings in over 8000 students and we give out flyers to everyone.
• Travel sponsorships – We travel over 4 times a year to other Universities nationally.
• Game Day sponsorships – Game ball sponsors, match sponsors, etc. Americal football requires a plethora of match day equipment to run successfully and we would love to invite you to one of our feature games.
• Equipment – used during training and game days.

What you get from sponsoring us:

• Campus promotions through leisurewear/match wear. The University is attended by 26000 students.
• Instant access to 8000+ students through Sports Fayre.
• Your name in local and student newspapers in text and photos. The Sabres frequently make the press for community work and match reports.
• Access to large numbers of graduates from the UK’s 6th rank University.
• The assistance of a large number of students at promotional events in Sheffield.
• Distribution of promotional materials.
• National coverage through BUAFL.
• Award winning website coverage (www.sheffieldsabres.com)
• Tax benefits due to sponsorship. The University of Sheffield Student’s Union is a registered charity.

The Sheffield Sabres are unashamedly ambitious.  In 2009 we topped our division and won the University Sports Club of the Year. Twelve of our members represented the North of England, 2 will go on to represent Great Britain. Based on past form, it is anticipated that the Sabres will attract some of the finest student athletes in the country, continuing the strong tradition of University of Sheffield Club Sport.

Backed by an exceptional coaching staff, the Sabres aim to continue their ascendancy in the British Universities American Football League, travelling to fixtures as disparate as Glasgow and Plymouth, Aberystwyth and Norwich. The Sheffield Sabres aim to be the leading University American Football team in the UK.

Thank You for your time. If you wish to discuss any information in this brochure or otherwise, we would welcome an exploratory discussions. The contact below can provide further information.

Mark Maguire, Club President

Email – usfootball@sheffield.ac.uk

Telephone – +447969262529

Mail -

Mark Maguire

Sports Office (American Football)

University of Sheffield Union of Students

Western Bank

Sheffield

S10 2TG