Oryx Marketing

17/01/2024

Rugby Blindside is now Oryx Marketing - A unique hybrid, combing the best of digital media publishing with a modern sales and digital marketing agency.

We focus on the business side of community sport (not just rugby), looking at what goes on behind the scenes at sports clubs. Our editorial coverage will continue to provide great insights for those involved in running a sports club at the community level.

We also help sports clubs develop and define their own marketing and commercial activity. Our community-centric approach drives revenue growth and community engagement for sports clubs.

23/09/2022

FEATURE: Like a bridge over troubled water?

The current situation facing Wasps and Worcester Warriors doesn't look great.

Read full article here:

English club rugby has been dealt two tough blows in recent weeks with financial uncertainty looming over both Worcester Warriors and Wasps. Wasps are facing the prospect of relegation after the cl…

22/09/2022

NEWS: Scottish Rugby launches new state school strategy

'This strategy marks an exciting new chapter in Scottish Rugby’s work with the education sector'

Read more here:

Scottish Rugby has published its strategic approach to support rugby communities deliver a thriving and vibrant state school game over the next six years. Whilst Scottish Rugby’s engagement with st…

09/08/2022

FEATURE: Player transfer market - Could rugby learn from football?

What would rugby look like with a transfer window and bigger fees paid for players?

Read full article here:

http://rugbyblindside.com/2022/08/09/player-transfer-market-could-rugby-learn-from-football/

We are currently in the middle of the summer football transfer window as fans sit excitedly and nervously by their phones waiting to see if their favourite players leave their club, or new talent a…

25/07/2022

FEATURE: How the Premiership Rugby £5m salary cap affects the rugby pyramid

Will players drop away from the game entirely or will they move down the leagues to find work? We consider the options.

Read full article here:

http://rugbyblindside.com/2022/07/05/how-the-premiership-rugby-5m-salary-cap-affects-the-rugby-pyramid/

Rugby is facing an escalating job crisis with more and more players out of contract and no offers on the table. The reduced salary cap in the Premiership means that squad sizes will be thinning and…

01/06/2022

FEATURE: 2022 is the year of player welfare

Sir Bill Beaumont and World Rugby have reinforced their positive stance on player welfare in rugby and unveiled enhanced plans to make progress in this field.

Read full article here:

http://rugbyblindside.com/2022/06/01/2022-is-the-year-of-player-welfare/

Sir Bill Beaumont and World Rugby have reinforced their positive stance on player welfare in rugby and unveiled enhanced plans to make progress in this field. At the start of the year Sir Bill Beau…

31/05/2022

FEATURE: A tiger's roar can be heard far and wide

Sheffield Tigers are in their 90th year - an impressive feat for any sports club. They are proud of their long history and have exciting plans for the future.

Read full article here:

http://rugbyblindside.com/2022/05/31/a-tigers-roar-can-be-heard-far-and-wide/

Sheffield Tigers are in their 90th year – an impressive feat for any sports club. They are proud of their long history and have exciting plans for the future. As you come into the city of She…

30/05/2022

NEWS: Planning application approved for Northampton Saints to build new indoor training facility

"This is an extremely exciting development for everyone at the Club.”

Read more here:

http://rugbyblindside.com/2022/05/30/planning-application-approved-for-northampton-saints-to-build-new-indoor-training-facility/

Northampton Saints have confirmed that West Northamptonshire Council Planning Authority have approved the Club’s application for the construction of a new indoor training facility. The ‘Northampton…

26/05/2022

NEWS: Bath Rugby confirms new rugby structure for 2022/23 season

- Johann van Graan will lead the club’s rugby programme as Head of Rugby
- Stuart Hooper becomes General Manager
- Edward Griffiths leaves his role as Chairman

Read more here:

http://rugbyblindside.com/2022/05/26/bath-rugby-confirms-new-structure-for-2022-23-season/

Bath Rugby has confirmed its new rugby structure for the 2022/23 season following an in-season review and subsequent reset. Johann van Graan will lead the club’s rugby programme as Head of RugbyStu…

18/04/2022

NEWS: Northampton Saints commit to United Nations Sports for Climate Action Framework

"e intend to use the power and reach of Northampton Saints to inspire our community to push for a more sustainable future for everyone.”

Read more here:

http://rugbyblindside.com/2022/04/18/northampton-saints-commit-to-united-nations-sports-for-climate-action-framework/

Northampton Saints has announced that the Club is joining the United Nations Sports for Climate Action Framework. The UN Sports for Climate Action Framework aims to promote action on the climate in…

16/04/2022

FEATURE: Interview with Sarah Saunders Commercial & Marketing Manager at Blackheath Rugby

Read full article here:

http://rugbyblindside.com/2022/04/16/interview-with-sarah-saunders-commercial-marketing-manager-at-blackheath-rugby/

Sarah explains what her role at Blackheath Rugby involves and the challenges she faces. Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got involved in rugby? I’ve spent the last 15 years o…

14/04/2022

NEWS: Premiership Rugby expands reach of global audience

"The high-octane style of Premiership Rugby is popular across the globe and we are delighted to see it will be available in more than 150 million households this season"

Read more here:

http://rugbyblindside.com/2022/04/14/premiership-rugby-expands-reach-of-global-audience/

Premiership Rugby has confirmed a number of new overseas TV contracts that takes the 2021-22 Gallagher Premiership Rugby season to a global audience of more than 158 million households in 145 diffe…

06/04/2022

📖 Last week we published the Spring 2022 issue of Rugby Blindside magazine.

The focus of this issue is club marketing, player welfare and rugby funding.

Read full issue here:
rugbyblindside.com/archive/

Magazine archive – Read the latest issues here: Spring 2022 issue This issue focuses on player welfare, club funding and marketing & communication for rugby clubs. We have articles t…

31/03/2022

NEWS: Premiership Rugby invest to improve the diversity of women playing sport

“Project Rugby succeeds because it’s a fantastically accessible and inclusive initiative"

Read more here:

http://rugbyblindside.com/2022/03/31/premiership-rugby-invest-to-improve-the-diversity-of-women-playing-sport/

Premiership Rugby has announced additional investment in its ground-breaking Project Rugby programme to improve the diversity of women and girls playing rugby regularly. The investment from the Asi…

30/03/2022

NEWS: Harlequins reveal plans to improve The Stoop

“The proposed plans represent careful investment in areas where our supporters will see and feel a real benefit on match days"

Read more here:

http://rugbyblindside.com/2022/03/30/harlequins-reveal-plans-to-improve-the-stoop/

The Club is pleased to share with supporters the proposed improvements at The Stoop that, subject to final planning approval, will be in place for the start of the 2022/23 season. The work includes…

17/03/2022

NEWS: Premiership Rugby to launch the Smart Rugby Ball

“The smart ball also gives our players and coaches the ability to improve performance on the field and in training with unique data"

Read more here:

http://rugbyblindside.com/2022/03/17/premiership-rugby-to-launch-the-smart-rugby-ball/

The Premiership Rugby Cup will become the first professional northern hemisphere competition to trial the Smart Rugby Ball, which will provide new, real-time data-led insights for teams, coaches, f…

16/03/2022

NEWS: Salary cap investigation into Leicester Tigers concluded

"We will continue to assess all spending as part of our ongoing monitoring process at every club.”

Read more here:

http://rugbyblindside.com/2022/03/16/salary-cap-investigation-into-leicester-tigers-concluded/

Premiership Rugby have confirmed that it has concluded its investigation into Leicester Tigers’ Salary Cap compliance for the seasons 2016-17 to 2020-21. The investigation was initiated by Premiers…

04/03/2022

NEWS: Premiership Rugby launches PRTV Live

'PRTV Live signals another step in our journey to grow the game and make Gallagher Premiership Rugby accessible to as many rugby fans as possible'

Read more here:

http://rugbyblindside.com/2022/03/04/premiership-rugby-launches-prtv-live/

PREMIERSHIP Rugby has launched a new streaming service, PRTV Live which will give supporters the chance to watch all Gallagher Premiership Rugby matches not being broadcast on BT Sport or ITV. A Ma…

01/03/2022

NEWS: RFU update on the Championship and minimum standards criteria

the independent audit has found that neither club has successfully met the minimum standards criteria based on capacity (as well as other factors)

Read more here:

http://rugbyblindside.com/2022/03/01/rfu-update-on-the-championship-and-minimum-standards-criteria/

The Covid recovery measures agreed by the RFU Council in June last year allowed for the Gallagher Premiership to be expanded to 14 clubs at the end of the 2021/22 season enabling the winner of the …

17/02/2022

NEWS: Saracens - Club Statement

Read more here:

http://rugbyblindside.com/2022/02/17/saracens-club-statement-4/

The board of Saracens Group Holdings Limited has announced the completion of the previously announced transaction regarding the refinancing of the group and the acquisition of a controlling stake i…

07/02/2022

NEWS: World Rugby appoints Phil Davies as Director of Rugby

“We are delighted to be appointing a person of Phil’s experience, calibre and passion to this strategically-important position at such an exciting time for the sport."

Read more here:

http://rugbyblindside.com/2022/02/07/world-rugby-appoints-phil-davies-as-director-of-rugby/

World Rugby has announced the appointment of Phil Davies as the organisation’s Director of Rugby.   Davies brings a wealth of high performance, technical and people management skills to t…

03/02/2022

NEWS: The Duchess of Cambridge has become Patron of the RFU

"We know the support of The Duchess will be greatly valued from our grassroots clubs and fast-growing women and girls’ game"

Read more here:

http://rugbyblindside.com/2022/02/03/the-duchess-of-cambridge-has-become-patron-of-the-rfu/

The patronage, which has been given to The Duchess by Her Majesty The Queen, closely aligns with Her Royal Highness’ longstanding passion for sport and the lifelong benefits it can provide, both wi…

20/01/2022

NEWS: Premiership Rugby seals new partnership with ITV Sport

"Our ambition is to grow the game and make Gallagher Premiership Rugby available to as many people as possible."

Read more here:

http://rugbyblindside.com/2022/01/20/premiership-rugby-seals-new-partnership-with-itv-sport/

Premiership Rugby and ITV have announced a game-changing new partnership to show, free-to-air, live Gallagher Premiership Rugby matches and a weekly highlights programme up until the end of the 202…