WHY LIONS? the Lions Represent a Unique Intersection of Excellence on the Rugby Field with a Deep, Meaningful Commitment to Drive Real Change for Chicago’S Youth
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CHICAGO LIONS RUGBY 2020-21 SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES THE LIONS’ MISSION Through rugby, the Chicago Lions work to improve the lives of the children and young adults on the Near West Side of Chicago. The Chicago Lions are a not-for-profit community rugby organization fielding rugby teams for kids ages four through high school, and men’s and women’s senior rugby. The Lions operate from their brand new, state-of-the-art sports facility in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood, the Lions for Hope Sports Complex. The Lions focus on two areas: (1) continuing to develop the Lions for Hope Sports Complex and (2) providing high-quality youth sports programming for the communities in Chicago’s Near West Side. The Chicago Lions Charitable Association (“Chicago Lions”) is a registered 501(c)(3) organization. THE CHICAGO LIONS RUGBY PROGRAMS SENIOR (ADULT) RUGBY ROOKIE RUGBY (AGES 4-10) MIDDLE SCHOOL RUGBY (AGES 11-14) HIGH SCHOOL RUGBY COMMUNITY RUGBY All Lions Rugby programs are either co-ed or have male/female teams. THE CHICAGO LIONS YOUTH RUGBY PROGRAMS YOUTH PROGRAM COMMUNITY RUGBY Lions Community Rugby is a free, after-school, rugby program run by the Lions in three Chicago middle schools, all located in under-resourced communities, serving substantially minority populations who fall below federal poverty line. The Community Rugby program utilizes a proven Social and Emotional Learning curriculum developed by Play Rugby USA. The program uses rugby to improve core skills such as Goal Orientation, Self Management, and Social Capital. Community Rugby students are now being “pulled through” to participate in Lions Youth Rugby, allowing their rugby and educational journey to continue and progress. THE CHICAGO LIONS YOUTH RUGBY PROGRAMS YOUTH PROGRAM ROOKIE RUGBY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL RUGBY The Lions offer a comprehensive youth rugby program for boys and girls from age 4 through high school. Participants come from across Chicago. Special emphasis is placed on attracting kids from the Near West Side neighborhoods around the Lions Complex. Scholarships for youth programs are readily available to ensure cost is not a barrier to entry. ROOKIE RUGBY MIDDLE SCHOOL RUGBY Pre-K to 4th Grade / Non- Middle School Juniors: contact Rugby 5-6th Grade / Contact Rugby Middle School Seniors: 7-8th Grade / Contact Rugby THE CHICAGO LIONS YOUTH RUGBY PROGRAMS YOUTH PROGRAM HIGH SCHOOL RUGBY High School Girls 9-12th Grade / Contact Rugby High School Boys 9-12th Grade / Contact Rugby The Lions field competitive High School teams for both girls and boys. The HS teams are coached by current or former Lions Senior players who are qualified USA Rugby Level 200 coaches as well as trained in SEL coaching approaches. The bulk of the Lions HS players are drawn from communities and schools on Chicago’s Near West Side. THE CHICAGO LIONS SENIOR RUGBY PROGRAMS SENIOR (ADULT) PROGRAM MEN’S & WOMEN’S 15s DIVISION 1 MEN’S 15s DIVISION 2 MEN’S & WOMEN’S 7s The Chicago Lions have a 55-year history as one of the top rugby clubs in the US. The Lions field nationally-competitive adult teams in Men’s and Women’s 15s and 7s. The Lions Senior Teams play in the Midwest Region of USA Rugby National Club Competition. The Lions are the current Midwest Champions in Men’s 15s, Women’s 15s, Men’s 7s, and Women’s 7s. The Lions Senior Teams regularly compete in USA Rugby’s National Playoffs, and Lions players are consistently chosen for Chicago and Midwest All-Star teams, for professional contracts in the US and abroad, and to represent their country with the US National Teams. CHICAGO LIONS-HOPE ACADEMY PARTNERSHIP LIONS FOR HOPE SPORTS COMPLEX In 2015, the Chicago Lions partnered with Chicago Hope Academy, a high school serving a predominately minority, low-income student December 2015 (east view) population, to acquire 8 acres of undeveloped land on the Near West Side of Chicago. After successfully raising over $4 million, in 2019 the Lions opened the first rugby field at the Lions for Hope Sports Complex. The Lions are now engaged in a second capital campaign to raise funds to build the second, domed field and the community center. The Complex sits at the intersection of the North Lawndale and East Garfield Park neighborhoods, which have been historically under- resourced. The Lions for Hope Sports Complex will enable the Lions and Hope Academy to provide a safe environment for neighborhood kids to participate in sports and education programs in addition to developing and promoting youth rugby in the Chicago area. For more information on this, visit www.lionsforhopesc.org September 2019 (west view) CHICAGO LIONS-HOPE ACADEMY PARTNERSHIP LIONS FOR HOPE SPORTS COMPLEX The Lions for Hope Complex is just one part of a larger planned “campus” (proposed plan right) on the Near West Side. From left to right: • Lions for Hope Sports Complex (two fields (one domed) plus a community center) • Hope Academy with track and field • Quest Athletic (indoor, 4 courts plus meeting and work-out space) • Altgeld Park (field, two diamonds and fieldhouse) For more information on this, visit www.lionsforhopesc.org CHICAGO LIONS REACH THE CHICAGO LIONS SOCIAL PRESENCE FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS MEN’S AND WOMEN’S 15s RUGBY The Chicago Lions Rugby teams compete in hundreds 4600 50+ GAMES PER YEAR of games, tournaments and events throughout the MEN’S AND WOMEN’S 7s RUGBY Chicago area, the Midwest and nationally. The Lions TWITTER FOLLOWERS 6-8 TOURNAMENTS PER YEAR for Hope Complex is utilized 7 days a week from 2200 March through November, drawing thousands of HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMs 30+ GAMES PER YEAR spectators, participants, supporters and parents for INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS 2300 games, tournaments, practices and events. LFHSC is used daily Spring-Fall LINKEDIN FOLLOWERS hosting youth and adult soccer and This presents incredible sponsorship opportunities for 300 rugby practices, games and both local and national brands: placement on Lions tournaments. Every week, several uniforms and gear; advertising at the Lions for Hope NEWSLETTER RECIPIENTS 2200 hundred participants, parents and Sports Complex; promotion through the Lions supporters are spending 2+ hours websites and active social media channels; and events *All of the above areas at LFHSC. In addition, LFHSC sits hosted at our field for your employees and customers. are growing followers between two well-traveled streets, daily and all field signage is visible from the street. CHICAGO LIONS BRAND WHY LIONS? The Lions represent a unique intersection of excellence on the rugby field with a deep, meaningful commitment to drive real change for Chicago’s youth. For almost 60 years, the Lions’ characteristic red lion logo on its all- black jerseys has stood for championship rugby. The Lions consistently compete at the highest levels of US club rugby. The Lions also consistently develop players and coaches who go on to All-American, Midwest, and National Team honors. Not content just being a dominant rugby team, the Lions are spearheading real change on the Near West Side of Chicago through their comprehensive youth and community rugby programs, and state-of-the-art Sports Complex. By sponsoring the Lions, your organization sends a clear message that you believe in sustained excellence as well as a strong commitment to social change through sports and education. Aligning your company with the Lions makes clear to all that you value creating equal access to high-quality programs and facilities for all Chicago youth. Why I gave $1 million dollars to the Lions… As a physical therapist and athletic trainer my vision was to help as many people as possible. My first two clients were Francis W. Parker High School and Chicago Lions Rugby, who are still clients today. As my practice grew and I moved on to more of a business development role, many others followed in my footsteps as the athletic trainer for the Chicago Lions Rugby Football Club. The message from these athletic trainers was always what I knew to be true, “they treated us like we were part of the team.” This is the ethos of rugby: inclusion, camaraderie, respect, integrity and discipline. When the Chicago Lions Charitable Association Leadership presented their plan it was right in line with the rugby ethos with one difference. This was about children in an under-resourced community, one in need of a haven from the gangs, guns and violence. As a 15-year board member and donator to Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago, I know full well the value of mentoring and positive role models. As an athletic trainer, I also know how organized youth sports can help guide children to the right path for a fulfilling childhood. The $1 million dollar donation from our Foundation is a start to build the Lions for Hope Sport Complex to promote well-being and enhance social capital, through athletics in the North Lawndale, East Garfield Park Communities. Mark Kaufman President of Mark and Mary Ann Family Foundation 2/17/2020 12 SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES SPONSORSHIPS Chicago Lions Rugby will work with your company to design a tailored sponsorship program: • Your logo on Lions jerseys and gear—you can choose which teams you want to support (Senior Women’s 7s, or Rookie Rugby, for example) or support the Club as a whole • Your sponsorship promoted through the Lions social media channels, and the Lions will collaborate to help promote through your own social media • Signage at the Complex, visible to the 1000s of visitors attending events every week and to those driving and walking by • Access to the Complex, either to promote