Rugby clubs from across Wales are commemorating their Lions Origin Club status with insurance broker Howden Cardiff.
As a Principal Partner of The British & Irish Lions, Howden Insurance is backing community level activities and supporting the grassroots game via Lions Origin Clubs. These are clubs where every Lion through the years has begun their rugby journey.
A family fun day on 26th July, hosted by Cardiff Rugby, kicks off at 10am, with activities for all ages ahead of the big match. Fans can then gather to watch The British & Irish Lions take on the Wallabies, with the action kicking off at 11am.
After the final whistle, the celebrations will continue as Howden colleagues and club representatives come together to present commemorative plaques, marking each club’s proud status as a Lions Origin Club.
Karen Heaven, Operations Director at Howden Wales, said:
“We’re thrilled to share in the excitement of The British & Irish Lions with Welsh rugby clubs and with our community here in Cardiff. Rugby brings people together, and as a Principal Partner of The British & Irish Lions, we’re proud to help bring that spirit to life locally with events that everyone can enjoy.
“These clubs are part of a prestigious group of 600 Origin Clubs that Howden Insurance is celebrating, as part of our commitment to supporting British rugby’s legacy. This partnership has never been just a name on a shirt, it's about celebrating the deep-rooted history teams that have shaped the game and produced incredible players.
“A huge thank you to everyone at the club for their hospitality, and to all the Origins Clubs that attended – congratulations again on both your Lions Origin Club status and many years of shaping rugby in Wales and Britain.”
Cardiff Rugby’s Community Foundation serves five unitary authorities, 16 Community First cluster areas, 76 community clubs, 61 secondary schools, and 320 primary schools—engaging with more than 80,000 people each year.
Through a wide range of programmes, the Foundation uses the power of rugby to engage, inspire and improve opportunities for people of all backgrounds and abilities. These include Visually Impaired and Wheelchair Rugby sessions, rugby camps that tackle holiday hunger, educational initiatives to re-engage young people in danger of falling out of education, and dementia cafés run in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society.
Jamie Muir, Interim Managing Director at Cardiff Rugby, said:
“The British & Irish Lions is always a highlight in the rugby calendar and we have such a rich history with them here at Cardiff and the Arms Park, so it is a privilege to join forces with Howden for this event.
“We share so many values with Howden and have been really impressed by the Origins Clubs initiatives, which has brought so many clubs and communities together. The fact that Howden is also supporting our own Community Foundation is something we are really grateful for. We are all now looking forward to a great day at the Arms Park, bringing so many people together to celebrate their contributions and hopefully a Test match win.”
As a Principal Partner of The British & Irish Lions, Howden said it was committed to being a force for good in rugby communities across the UK and Ireland, supporting the sport’s growth and sustainability from grassroots to the professional level.
