Sheffield Vulcans RUFC

Hello and welcome to the official SNAP Sponsorship profile of Sheffield Vulcans RUFC.

We're delighted to announce that we’ve now partnered with SNAP Sponsorship and we’re looking for sponsors who are excited about affiliating themselves with a fully inclusive rugby club in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. We provide a safe place for LGBTQIA+ individuals or anyone wanting to participate in sports without worry of prejudice. Founded in August 2017, Sheffield Vulcans RUFC is a proud member of International Gay Rugby (IGR).​

We strive to craft a partnership with our sponsors that meets their specific objectives, whether that be community gifting, social responsibility (CSR), direct sales or brand building.

Whatever your motivation, find out more below. Thank you for visiting our profile.

Why Sponsor Us?

Increased brand awareness, raising the profile of your business in our community

In order to drive the club forward, pay for new kit & equipment, and support us through competitions and tournaments, we’re keen to build relationships with new and exciting businesses who wish to align themselves with our club ethos and help make a positive impact in the local community.

We would like to work alongside you to explore opportunities and mutual benefits and sponsoring us will raise the profile of your business and benefit you in the following ways: 

• Advertising to hundreds from our club and players and spectators from visiting teams across the UK. 
• Exposure to thousands in the local area and all those who share our sports facilities.
• Publicity in local papers and mentions in club newsletters.
• Increased brand awareness on our website and across our social media channels (4k+ followers and an average monthly reach of 2300 people).
• Pride in supporting LGBTQIA+ individuals and International Gay Rugby (IGR).
• Assisting in the development of grassroots sport facilities and equipment.
• Satisfaction from giving back to and supporting the local community.

All revenue raised will go towards new kit, funding competitions and providing further opportunities for our players and spectators who are passionate about rugby.

Engage with our many members and capitalise on our strong social media following

Sheffield Vulcans RUFC is in the heart of the community with links to a sizeable audience base surrounding the club. In addition to our large membership and extensive supporter network, we’re also active on social media and use our website, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to promote our club, fixtures and sponsors to a total following of over 4,000 people.

We’re an extremely social club who pride themselves on being fully inclusive and advocates for the LGBTQIA+ and International Gay Rugby (IGR) communities. We’re warm, friendly and we regularly host events throughout the year and we’d be happy to host a sponsored networking event if desired.

Sheffield Vulcans RUFC has an array of sponsorship opportunities which can be tailored to meet your objectives. Through sponsorship, our club will promote your company in a wide variety of ways enriching the profile of your business in our community. 

Help to remove barriers and make rugby more accessible and inclusive for all

Sponsorship of a grassroots sport delivers a much higher return on investment than traditional advertising. This is because sponsorship allows your business to become directly involved in activities that are highly valued by local consumers and supporting a fully inclusive club such as ours will promote your brand in a positive way.

Sheffield Vulcans RUFC is proud of its strong bonds with the community and enjoys supporting and engaging with local initiatives ensuring the club remains fully inclusive to anyone who wishes to play rugby. We have played an active role in the Sheffield LGBTQ+ scene from raising money for local charities, supporting queer led organisations to hosting the Unofficial Pride After Party in 2019.

We need your sponsorship so that we can continue to raise awareness and provide opportunities for everyone who wishes to play rugby no matter their ability, size or sexuality.

Consumers are known to form strong positive associations with sponsors who support the development of grassroots sport and also contribute to the local area and by directly supporting us, you’re helping to remove economic barriers – making rugby affordable, accessible and inclusive for all in the community.

And, by sponsoring a club like ours, you’re demonstrating much more than a financial commitment, you’re promoting your investment in equality and meaningful change within the rugby arena.

Contact us now to find out more and explore what Sheffield Vulcans RUFC can offer you!

About Our Club

A safe and welcoming environment for everyone to play rugby.

Sheffield Vulcans provides a safe place for LGBTQIA+ individuals or anyone wanting to participate in sports without worry of prejudice. Founded in August 2017, Sheffield Vulcans RUFC is a proud member of International Gay Rugby (IGR).​

Originally set up by the Spirit of Rugby Campaign, our main aim is to give everyone the opportunity to learn and play rugby without fear of prejudice.​

Homophobia can be rife in sports clubs and this can put the LGBTQ+ community off from participating. But with the Sheffield Vulcans, players can be assured of support and acceptance from day one. Whether gay or straight, old or young, big or small, we can find a place for everyone on the field and help them to develop skills and a love of this wonderful sport.

The Sheffield Vulcans is a not-for-profit organisation and we have a board of Directors which includes the Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.​

The Sheffield Vulcans has a constitution which informs the set-up of the club and how the organisation operates. This includes procedures and processes for all elements of the club. An Annual General Meeting is held once a year which re-ratifies any amendments to the constitution, a breakdown of the year’s events, club finances and an election for all committee roles. ​

The day-to-day operations of the club are managed by the Committee. This group of members are elected into roles on a 12 month basis by the rest of the membership. The Committee meet on a monthly basis and have contact regularly via social media to organise everything from socials, training and fixtures. ​ 

Our training sessions and club development are led by our talented coaching team. With combined experience of more than 50 years as players and coaches, their level of expertise and passion for the sport is fantastic and we are always grateful for the hard work they put in to improving our skills and understanding of how to play as a team. ​

Our Objectives

• Continue to grow our membership and spread the word of inclusivity across South Yorkshire and the UK.
• Offer an active social calendar of events for members and supporters with the support of local Sheffield businesses.
• Support members as we compete in the IGR Northern League with 10 games across the North of the UK between September and April (5 home and 5 away).
• Create meaningful relationships with local rugby clubs and play friendlies and development games to boost our skills and new player confidence.
• Send a team to compete in the IGR Bingham Cup in Rome, May 2024.
• Host multiple public events throughout the year, including our annual Halloween party, to fundraise for LGBTQ+ groups and other charities.
• Increase the reach of the Sheffield LGBTQ+ scene and local businesses that support our ethos of inclusivity.

Core Values of the Sheffield Vulcans

Rugby Union is a sport that prides itself on its principles. The Sheffield Vulcans shares this commitment and so encourages all of our members to work and play in line with the core values of the club.​

These principles are largely the same as those promoted by our two parent institutions; England Rugby and International Gay Rugby. But we’ve also added our own spin, using feedback from our members and ensuring all of our players and supporters know what we value the most through Inclusivity, Respect, Enjoyment and Sportsmanship.​

We expect all our players and supporters to display fair and generous behaviour and treatment of others, whether it is a warm-up game at training or the league final.​

Rugby is designed to be the combined efforts of a team and not an individual. We take pride in our team, rely on one another and understand that each player has a part to play. And importantly, we speak out if our team or sport is threatened by inappropriate words or actions.

Sheffield Vulcans are expected to approach a game with an appropriate attitude. This means that our players are competitive but not at any cost. Our aim as a club is to have fun playing rugby and to develop our players. Being overly aggressive, fighting and negative comments and behaviour towards the other team is not acceptable. Any instances of unacceptable behaviour may lead to a player being spoken to following the grievance procedure.

Socials

The Membership Manager will strive to organise at least one ‘formal’ social a month. These events can range from nights out, games evenings at Treehouse Boardgame Cafe, trips to the cinema, going to watch Sheffield Tigers (or other local rugby games) and a variety of other social gatherings. Members are more than welcome to bring along family, friends, partners and potential new members to meet their fellow players. 

We're always ready to welcome new members and increase the ranks of Sheffield Vulcans. It doesn't matter if people have not played for years, or never played at all, all that is needed to be a Vulcan is the right attitude.​

History of Our Club

One sunny Saturday in 2017 at Sheffield Pride, representatives from International Gay Rugby (IGR) set up a stall to see if there was interest setting up an LGBTQ+ inclusive rugby club in Sheffield. ​

A few weeks later and the Sheffield Vulcans were born! We'll never forget our very first session at Endcliffe Park with 12 eager people, most of which had never played rugby before!

​Since then, we've come a long way from a dozen people in a public park. We're proud to have become a well-known part of the Sheffield Rugby community, partnering with Sheffield Tigers RUFC for our home base and friendlies with other local clubs.​

Sheffield Vulcans RUFC have played an active role in the LGBTQ+ scene of Sheffield since our very beginning. From raising money for local charities, supporting queer led organisations and hosting the Unofficial Pride After Party in 2019, we love working with ​the wonderful people of Sheffield to spread the message of love, acceptance and inclusivity. We've even expanded our reach and celebrate at multiple Pride events across South Yorkshire and Derbyshire.

​Following unprecedented growth and development during Covid in 2021, we entered our first ever league. The IGR Northern League 1 presented a challenge for our members and helped us build friendships across other inclusive rugby clubs. Our hard work paid off and we were honoured to be named IGR Northern League 1 champions with an undefeated season!
In 2023/2024 we won the IGR Northern League undefeated, competing in IGR Finals Day in London, coming second in the UK to the Berkshire Unicorns.
​

Aspirations

This season we are keen to be a defend our title in the IGR North East 1 League and will also be preparing to compete in the Union Cup 2025 (Oslo,Norway) as part of a combined team of ourselves, Leeds Hunters, Hull Roundheads and York Templars. 

We've also been confirmed as the host of the IGR National Finals Day in April 2025 when teams from across the UK will visit Sheffield and compete for trophy ware. This could also be a prime opportunity for sponsors to showcase their business and support us in funding the running costs for the day.

Naturally, we want to support our sponsors and build them in to our club on a strategic level — allowing all of our partners to benefit from our ever-improving facilities, expanding audience and our community involvement.