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Sporting Saturday 2018
[/text_output][text_output]What a day and what an autumn! We turned three, Wales went four from four and five top speakers joined us for Sporting Saturday at Cardiff’s magnificent Radisson Blu, sponsored this year by British Airways.Old friends mixed with new, renewing touring fables from lands as far apart as Argentina and Auckland. Some lucky so and so’s have even squeezed in Bilbao to display three well earned stars on their MSG lapel.[/text_output][blockquote cite=”Andy Walton – Lions in Pink” id=” class=” style=”]“Just wanted to say a huge thank you to Mark & his team. A fantastic day & night which was organised to perfection. Really looking forward to the future with exciting times ahead.”[/blockquote][image src=”18517″ alt=” href=” title=” info_content=” lightbox_caption=” id=” class=” style=”]
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Highlights from the day
[/text_output][image alt=” href=” title=” info_content=” lightbox_caption=” id=” class=” style=” src=”18483″][text_output]“How good was Tom Shanklin?”, appeared the comment of the afternoon. Subscribers to his Flats and Shanks podcast will be familiar with his quick wit and dry humour, as our good friend Paul Fielding found out at the head of the show! Thanks as ever to Paul for his excellent compering of the day.[/text_output][image alt=” href=” title=” info_content=” lightbox_caption=” id=” class=” style=” src=”18482″][text_output]James Hook proved yet again why he should make any event line up, not to mention his natural talents that belie his 33 years. With 81 caps to his name the Ospreys are getting great value for a man that still has the attributes to cut it at the very top.[/text_output][image alt=” href=” title=” info_content=” lightbox_caption=” id=” class=” style=” src=”18486″][text_output]One of rugby’s greatest guys, Andries Pretorius provided a fascinating insight into his role in helping players pre and post careers. Speaking five South African dialects, we may have unearthed a great kit man here for Lions 2021.[/text_output][image alt=” href=” title=” info_content=” lightbox_caption=” id=” class=” style=” src=”18480″][text_output]Our Tongan friends stole the show with their giant paws and gentle voices. Represented by Aayden Clarke, CEO of Pacific Rugby Players, hard work is undertaken to support these athletes during their careers. Aayden was appreciative of the £1000 raised, commenting “Thank you again for having us and for the very kind donation towards our organisations activity. It is hugely appreciated and we really enjoyed being part of the day.”[/text_output][text_output]
Going once …going twice…SOLD!
[/text_output][image alt=” href=” title=” info_content=” lightbox_caption=” id=” class=” style=” src=”18493″][text_output]We were honoured to have such a talented artist in Leanne Gilroy as part of the occasion. The donation of a George North print provided a large part of the funds raised for Pacific Rugby Players. A special mention to Len Drane for his purchase of Leanne’s iconic work of art![/text_output][text_output]
What’s next?
[/text_output][image alt=” href=” title=” info_content=” lightbox_caption=” id=” class=” style=” src=”18478″][text_output]Next up for us is Italy where Wales are aiming to extend their unbeaten run (after hopefully defeating a sorry French in Paris the prior week). We have 6 places left on the five day tour to Bologna, Rome and Verona on an itinerary that provides great food and wine amongst vintage company. [/text_output][image alt=” href=” title=” info_content=” lightbox_caption=” id=” class=” style=” src=”18476″][text_output]A warm Konnichiwa to our new Japan tourists who’ve joined our travelling samurai this past week. Our Omatase and Ichi Go Ichi E packages are capturing the imagination of the public, exploring Japan from east to west. With the Tier One nations competing so competitively this autumn the Rugby World Cup trophy could easily be heading to Europe in November 2019. Be there to experience your team’s progression with MSG in Japan 2019.[/text_output][text_output]
