The Sloop Inn and St Ives RFC team up, with a perk for members

One has been part of the harbourfront since around 1312. The other has had rugby in its blood since the 1880s. Now two of the oldest names in St Ives have put their names on the same card.

The Sloop Inn has become the latest sponsor of St Ives RFC, backing the rugby club’s membership cards. The deal helps the club raise funds, and it gives its members something back too.

📷Paul Scorer, manager of The Sloop, and Ian Sanders, chair of St Ives RFC (left to right), with the membership cards

What club members get

Members of St Ives RFC can now get an exclusive 10% discount on food and drinks at The Sloop Inn.

The pub has also handed over bottles of its Smugglers Rum. These will be presented to the Hakes’ man of the match after each first team game this season.

Why the deal matters to the club

Ian Sanders, chairman of St Ives RFC, said sponsorship from local businesses was an important source of income for the club.

“It helps the club to continue developing its facilities, teams and activities for the benefit of its members and the wider community,” he said. “We are delighted that The Sloop Inn is supporting the Club, while giving members a fantastic 10% discount on food and drinks. We are also grateful for the donation of bottles of The Sloop Inn’s Smugglers Rum for our Hakes’ man of the match.”

Ian added: “It is exactly the kind of local partnership that we strive to develop that benefits everyone, the Club, its members and a much-loved St Ives business.”

The view from behind the bar

Paul Scorer, manager of The Sloop, said the sponsorship was a chance to back a club that had played an important role in St Ives life for generations.

“Sponsoring St Ives RFC’s membership cards and donating prizes provides an opportunity to support a club which has played an important role in St Ives life for generations, while welcoming its members through the doors of one of the town’s most recognisable establishments,” he said. “We are pleased to be able to support the Club and look forward to an exciting season ahead at Alexandra Road.”

Paul continued: “As a local business The Sloop works with the community and supports other local organisations whenever possible. We are proud to help St Ives RFC to generate income while giving something back to the Club’s members. We very much look forward to welcoming St Ives RFC’s members to The Sloop.”

Centuries on the harbourfront

The Sloop Inn is one of Cornwall’s oldest and best-known inns. It is believed to date back to around 1312 and has been a fixture on the St Ives harbourfront for centuries.

Local residents, fishermen, artists and visitors have long counted it as a favourite, and it remains closely tied to the character of the town.

Rugby since the 1880s

The rugby club has its own deep roots. Rugby has been played in St Ives since the 1880s, and the club was formally established under its present name in 1889.

Over more than 130 years, generations of local players, families, volunteers and supporters have been part of it. Today the club runs senior, women’s, girls’ and junior sections, and sponsorship like this helps fund its activities across all of them.

It continues to develop opportunities for players of all ages and abilities, and welcomes new players, volunteers and supporters.

A relationship the club hopes will last

St Ives RFC hopes the partnership will be the start of a long relationship between the two St Ives institutions.

Businesses interested in getting involved with the club can contact [email protected].

📷Paul Scorer, manager of The Sloop, and Ian Sanders, chair of St Ives RFC (left to right), with the membership cards