Letter to the Nominated Teams

While this form is addressed to Bath, a copy went to each "final four" team, except for London Irish (for whom I ran out of postage!). They'll get a hard copy soon...

Bath Rugby

Marketing/Fan Relations

11 Argyle Street

Bath, Somerset, England

BA2 4BQ

To whom it may concern:

My name is Tom Lyons. I am a 27-year-old American living in Madison, the capital city of the State of Wisconsin. Recently, I’ve come to be interested in Premiership League Rugby. I’m writing to your team to learn more about Bath Rugby.

Rugby has an enjoyable feel to watch and appreciate that popular American sports either do not or have with a great deal of commercial breaks. I’ve also been pleasantly surprised to learn that the Premiership League is quite available on the television and internet for American fans.

I will be following Premiership Rugby for the forthcoming season. After researching each of the teams, I’ve decided to specifically learn more about Bath, Gloucester, and the London Wasps toward the end of being a fan of one of those teams. Those three were selected largely by what I can learn of their cities from the internet, their ease of viewing on television or the internet, prior successes in Premiership play, and their potential for avoiding relegation, among others.

I believe that toward my end of ultimately choosing a team for which to be a fan, each of the teams ought to be informed and given the chance to help in this decision to whatever extent they might like. Might there be anything to know about your team that an American new to the sport might not otherwise know or appreciate? Might there be any other reason to be a fan of your team besides what I’ve mentioned above?

Geographic constraints might forbid me from, for instance, being an active season ticket holder. I believe, however, that the United States is an untapped area for Premiership League new fans. My home of Madison has a club rugby team. I largely came to appreciate the game of rugby from a friend who plays on another area club team. We will be hosting a Heineken Cup Final barbecue next spring with dozens of area guests! My point is that I hope to promote my new team and be every bit as much of a fan as one in Bath would.

Thank you for your time and attention. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Thomas Lyons