An Post / Sean Kelly Cycling Team

Lusk Doyle

Hi folks,

I am friendly with someone who is close to the setup for this team. He has told me that the team has suffered the loss of a number of sponsors for the coming season and will be significantly down on the budget compared with last season.

Last year the team did so well in many races including the overall win in our own Ras. The team also faced the prospect of losing the Ras winner and stage winner in the Tour of Britain, Bagdonas, to Geox. This deal has fallen through following the failure of Geox to secure the promotion they were after and Bagdonas remains at the team and will surely deliver some more victories next year.

Anyway, the team has a training camp planned for December and one for January. Unfortunately, due to the financial difficulties being encountered, they may be forced to cancel the January training camp. Further difficulties will lie ahead throughout the season if they can't secure additional funding.

I thought that it would be a good idea to throw this out to you fellow boardsies (who often sign the praises of King Kelly!) to gauge the interest in me setting up a bank account for some donations from us to help support the team in their efforts.

Please let me know if any of you would be interested in making a sponsorship donation and I will set up an account for same. I know that the team would be extremely grateful for any help that will make their efforts worthwhile.


Thanks,


Lusk Doyle

RobFowl

They have some new sponsors on board as well. Dectek for one.
Hope they have a big enough budget to allow a good race program though.

Caroline_ie

If I give them 5quid, I want my Boards name on their jersey.

Beasty

Caroline_ie wrote: »

5quid

Is that another French delicacy?

Caroline_ie

Actually, basque txipirones en su tinta.

smithslist

RobFowl wrote: »

Dectek for one.

Dectek to move teams from Dunboyne to An Post??? Thats a big jump....

elduggo

Lusk Doyle wrote: »

Last year the team did so well in many races including the overall win in our own Ras. The team also faced the prospect of losing the Ras winner and stage winner in the Tour of Britain, Bagdonas, to Geox. This deal has fallen through following the failure of Geox to secure the promotion they were after and Bagdonas remains at the team and will surely deliver some more victories next year.

you say this like its a good thing the deal has fallen through. I'm sure Bagdonas wouldn't agree.

This thread is well intentioned but seriously, how much money could realistically be raised?

Lusk Doyle

elduggo wrote: »

you say this like its a good thing the deal has fallen through. I'm sure Bagdonas wouldn't agree.

I was merely stating fact.

elduggo wrote: »

This thread is well intentioned but seriously, how much money could realistically be raised?

Who cares? Would you rather some money or no money at all?

Lusk Doyle

Caroline_ie wrote: »

If I give them 5quid, I want my Boards name on their jersey.

I can promise nothing!!!

elduggo

Lusk Doyle wrote: »

Who cares? Would you rather some money or no money at all?

yea grand. If the Kelly An Post lads don't feel they have a use for the 70 euro raised here I will happily take it. Cheers.

RobFowl

Caroline_ie wrote: »

If I give them 5quid, I want my Boards name on their jersey.

If you change your name by deed poll to An Post I'm sure there'll be no problem

Lusk Doyle

elduggo wrote: »

yea grand. If the Kelly An Post lads don't feel they have a use for the 70 euro raised here I will happily take it. Cheers.

There's no need to contribute useless posts to this thread. Grow up. If you don't want to contribute constructively then don't contribute at all.

Beasty

Lusk Doyle wrote: »

There's no need to contribute useless posts to this thread. Grow up. If you don't want to contribute constructively then don't contribute at all.

If you have a problem with a post, report it and leave the mods to deal with it as appropriate. Please leave the modding to the mods

Thanks

Beasty

daragh_

My 2 cents worth....

I think it's a nice idea and I'm sure there are lots of people, who like me, would love to contribute a few bob. But I think a few bob is all you'll get

I would be skeptical about your ability to raise serious cash this way though. I'm tangentially involved in Fundraising in 'real life' and these things live or die on perception. One question many people who don't know how these thing work will ask is 'An Post are your main sponsor, sure why do you need my five/ten/hundred/whatever euros?'

If it was me I would be looking at identifying and directly engaging possible corporate sponsors. I'm sure that's whats going on anyway.

Lusk Doyle

All avenues are being explored. This is one. I don't see this as being about the merits of one idea over another and am not interested in going down that route. Can I ask that people respond to the OP, are you interested in making a donation, yes or no. If yes, then great. If not, then no need to post. I appreciate that it may raise questions in minds of people but that's not why I posted it. It's a money raising idea plain and simple to help the team.

Thanks.

Lusk Doyle

Also, I have no involvement in the team, I'm just trying to be nice!

daragh_

Lusk Doyle wrote: »

All avenues are being explored. This is one. I don't see this as being about the merits of one idea over another and am not interested in going down that route. Can I ask that people respond to the OP, are you interested in making a donation, yes or no. If yes, then great. If not, then no need to post. I appreciate that it may raise questions in minds of people but that's not why I posted it. It's a money raising idea plain and simple to help the team.

Thanks.

Yes

michael196

its fundamentally a good idea, 7000 people at the an post sean kelly in waterford, tenner each 70 K, add on amounts from each of the other an post tours .....


or would you prefer to have a slice of cheesecake at the tour of the burren ....


given that the lottery can fund a major new childrens hospital......

whats is that Mr President says ? : is feidir linn.......

Lusk Doyle

Beasty wrote: »

If you have a problem with a post, report it and leave the mods to deal with it as appropriate. Please leave the modding to the mods

Thanks

Beasty

Yes Sir! Now how about a donation?!? (your comments from our conversation yesterday evening noted!)

Beasty

Lusk Doyle wrote: »

Yes Sir! Now how about a donation?!? (your comments from our conversation yesterday evening noted!)

OK - but let me have some facts first

1. How many Irish riders are on the team?
2. How many Bristish riders are on the team?
3. How many riders do they have aged 23 or under?

RobFowl

Beasty wrote: »

OK - but let me have some facts first

1. How many Irish riders are on the team?
2. How many Bristish riders are on the team?
3. How many riders do they have aged 23 or under?

Irish riders
Sam Bennett U23
Phil Lavery U23
Sean DowneyU23
Connor McConvey
Ronan McLoughlin

British riders
Mark Christian U23

Beasty

Thanks Rob - I'll donate a set amount for each of those riders, doubled for those under 23 (and the answer is therefore a multiple of 10;))

RobFowl

Beasty wrote: »

Thanks Rob - I'll donate a set amount for each of those riders, doubled for those under 23 (and the answer is therefore a multiple of 10;))

I think thats a great idea and I'll do the same....
Might be worth seeing how much of a donation you need to put "boards.ie" on the kit and also see if the powers that be will allow it?

Beasty

... and to save them a bit of money, they can come to North County Dublin for that January/February training camp - a few of those circuits we did last night will do them the world of good when the temperatures plummet below zero. I'm sure Rob has a bit of space to put a few of them up ...:D

Lusk Doyle

Thanks men!

C'mon folks, anyone else willing to help out a "local-type" team (DISCLAIMER: TERM "LOCAL" USED LOOSELY!)???

Forfit a couple of pints for a good cause. It's for your enjoyment after all...

Lusk Doyle

Beasty wrote: »

... and to save them a bit of money, they can come to North County Dublin for that January/February training camp - a few of those circuits we did last night will do them the world of good when the temperatures plummet below zero. I'm sure Rob has a bit of space to put a few of them up ...:D

Yep! Especially if it is a night like last night when we were out. That was lovely!

Junior

Lusk Doyle wrote: »

Thanks men!

C'mon folks, anyone else willing to help out a "local-type" team (DISCLAIMER: TERM "LOCAL" USED LOOSELY!)???

Forfit a couple of pints for a good cause. It's for your enjoyment after all...

Do they actually need help ?

velo.2010

A pub quiz was organised earlier this year for a girl from our club to help fund her training/racing in 2011.

Maybe an An Post Sean Kelly Cycling Pub Quiz Series. A number of quiz's held around the country to find the best sports related quiz team. e50 per team entry. Have an quarter/semi/final set-up with a prize of a trip to one of the countries where the team races. Maybe a chance to go out on one of the races in a team car perhaps!

Something like that might be more condusive to getting people to take the money out of their wallets and part with their cash!

Hope the team survives into the future.

Lusk Doyle

velo.2010 wrote: »

A pub quiz was organised earlier this year for a girl from our club to help fund her training/racing in 2011.

Maybe an An Post Sean Kelly Cycling Pub Quiz Series. A number of quiz's held around the country to find the best sports related quiz team. e50 per team entry. Have an quarter/semi/final set-up with a prize of a trip to one of the countries where the team races. Maybe a chance to go out on one of the races in a team car perhaps!

Something like that might be more condusive to getting people to take the money out of their wallets and part with their cash!

Hope the team survives into the future.

Eh....YOINK!

Great idea!

velo.2010

An Post Sean Kelly Cycling Pub Quiz Series.....with Thanks to Velo.2010.

OR Just get us a used 2011 AnPost team bike and its all yours LuskDoyle.;)

Slideshowbob

How much does An Post give them?

Does the Irish Sports Council give money to them?

Would Kelly and Bogarts be on a big wage / fee?

Lusk Doyle

Slideshowbob wrote: »

How much does An Post give them?

Does the Irish Sports Council give money to them?

Would Kelly and Bogarts be on a big wage / fee?

I for one have absolutely no idea to any of the above!

Beasty

I think some of these questions are fair enough. This is a professional sports team - I'd be surprised if the team gets get any Sports Council funding. I'd also be surpised if the amount of sponsorship they receive from various sources is in the public domain, but if it is I'd be interested to hear what their overall funding level is.

ROK ON

Lusk Doyle wrote: »

I for one have absolutely no idea to any of the above!

Do you think that it makes sense to canvass for sponsorship for a team, when you have no idea as to the cost base of the team?
The name of the team would suggest that the principal sponsors are An Post and Kelly. Now maybe Kelly gives his time and expertise in lieu of cash sponsorship (who knows).

But unless you know what the cost structure is and what the exact nature of the shortfall is, then you have no idea as to the veracity of your mates claims.

Are the team aware of what you are doing - because if they are not then this thread should be closed IMHO. It does not paint the current sponsors in a good light.

My tuppence worth.

Slideshowbob

50 boards members x €50 each = €2,500

Would this get a spot on d jersey?

Lusk Doyle

ROK ON wrote: »

Do you think that it makes sense to canvass for sponsorship for a team, when you have no idea as to the cost base of the team?
The name of the team would suggest that the principal sponsors are An Post and Kelly. Now maybe Kelly gives his time and expertise in lieu of cash sponsorship (who knows).

But unless you know what the cost structure is and what the exact nature of the shortfall is, then you have no idea as to the veracity of your mates claims.

Are the team aware of what you are doing - because if they are not then this thread should be closed IMHO. It does not paint the current sponsors in a good light.

My tuppence worth.

I fail to see how this paints current sponsors in a bad light. They agree to a certain level of sponsorship and have nothing to do with others withdrawing for whatever reason.

It's not canvassing for sponsorship its raising funds to donate to the team as a goodwill gesture.

Your tuppence worth is not worth it imo.

Beasty

ROK ON entitled to his view in the same way as you are Lusk Doyle

This is a professional team we are talking about. I suspect it costs Kelly nothing - more like he is being paid to "lend" his name to it

Professional sports teams are there to ultimately make money, ideally for the "owners", and certainly for their employees (riders and support staff). Now I would ask you, would you be prepared to make a similar goodwill gesture to the sports team I support? They've had problems with sponsors backing out in the past, and do have a lot of debt to support;).

Of course those teams that don't make money ultimately go out of business. In the meantime they may get a bit of support from their fan base. Perhaps a significant capital injection to tide them over. Sometimes it happens many times over, with new "investors" thinking they can turn the business round. However ultimately all professional sports teams require a business plan that will deliver results, both on and off "the pitch"

In my view, resource at our level is better directed towards up and coming young (amateur) riders, who would struggle to make their way in the sport because of limited resources, but who have potential to go a long way. Of course a lot of these sportsmen ultimately don't make it, but those that do probably get a bit of a helping hand along the way

Beasty

Thread closed at OP's request