The first meeting of The Rugby Business Network took place at Lansdowne Rugby Club in Dublin on Tuesday night.  Former international, politician and Chairman of Edelman Jim Glennon was MC for the night before a sell out crowd drawn from every level of the sport and the businesses around it.
Leinster Manager Joe Schmidt made a surprise appearance and was the first guest on the microphone. Aside from some insight into the preparation of the European Champions, he recalled stories from his teaching past and his illustrious career in rugby across New Zealand, France and Ireland.  He told of how one established international upped his game through his reaction to being dropped, how a former boss of his had ensured loyalty through reaching beyond the obvious motivators and how the fans of Clermont Auvergne reacted to victory by causing a mini earthquake in the Massif Central.
Shane Byrne spoke of his career in the game, the highs and the lows and how the lessons he learned on the field of play, about discipline, remaining calm under pressure and making the best of those working around you have been invaluable since in his subsequent business career as a director of his family waste disposal business and through the charity work he undertakes.
Ian O’Sullivan from Teamer explained how that organisation helps in the management of teams and Rob Hartnett of Sport for Business explained what we are all about, bringing the power of a sporting network such as that present on the evening into a clear and useful ‘always on’ facility for intelligence, innovation and inspiration on the relationship between sport of all codes and business of all shapes and size.
Representatives from international, provincial and club rugby engaged throughout with a diverse group of business guests ranging from banking, broadcasting and bespoke travel to property, psychology and publishing.  It was well organised by Philip Mullins of Skerries RFC and IBM, assisted by Trevor Keane of Fantasy5Live and Michael Corcoran, an enthusiastic proponent of 7’s and a freelance writer.
One theme to come through strongly on the night was the potential of women’s rugby, with time given over to the likely presence of a women’s Irish team at the next Olympic Games as the spur for what is very likely to be a very vibrant four year cycle of development and growth.
We will bring you news of the next gathering, which is likely to take place in Ulster, in a few months time.  Sport for Business is proud to have played a part in helping bring the idea of the evening to life.
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