Bristol firms invited to enter tag rugby tournament with final at Ashton Gate

Businesses across the South West are being urged to enter a tag rugby tournament which is raising money for Bristol Bears Community Foundation.

Teams of men and women are invited to swap their workplace for the rugby field for the tournament which is being organised by the foundation with Bristol-based design and build specialists Paramount, which has an office on Welsh Back.

The seven-a-side tournment will feature 36 teams across the property and construction, finance and legal, and business service sectors.

Bristol Bears Community Foundation Development Manager Craig Capel said: “The money raised by our friends in the business world will support the valuable work we do across communities in the South West.

“This popular tournament is designed to be fun and inclusive first and foremost, but with a competitive edge and we’re hoping that companies across the South West will join us to raise vital funds for a great cause.

“Every penny raised will help us make sure that the power of rugby is used to support the most disadvantaged members of our communities and engage children from the age of five to people as old as 103.”

The tournament heats will take place at Lockleaze Sports Centre on March 16 for property and construction teams, March 30 for legal and finance teama dn April 20 for business services teams. The finals at Ashton Gate will take place on May 3.

Sulli Gardner, Paramount Business Development Manager, said: “There’s a healthy rivalry across the South West business community and we know this will come to the fore in the name of the Bristol Bears Community Foundation.

“Our region is blessed with brilliantly talented business people, and it’ll be great to see them show they can mix brains with brawn on a top sporting stage once the tournament gets under way.

“We’re looking forward to a set of fantastic events, suitable for all levels of sporting ability, but also with everyone keen to show off their sporting prowess and to secure local bragging rights.”

Paramount is hoping to build on the success of a tag rugby tournament it organised last year. That saw 150 players put commercial rivalries to one side to raise £3,000 for the Foundation at Cotham Park Rugby Club.

Teams will be made up of seven players, with males and females taking part, and rules stipulating that two female players must be on the field at any one time, with each squad having a total of 10 players.

Anyone who would like more information and to take part should get in touch with Sulli Gardner to express their interest. He can be reached on: [email protected]

Deadline for entries is February 22.