29 April 2020

From the clubhouse to the couch, World Cup ref Nigel Owens to host virtual rugby quiz

Principality Building Society continuing to support grassroots clubs during challenging year

Rugby clubs in Wales are being given the chance to win the ultimate virtual clubhouse quiz hosted by rugby referee Nigel Owens, thanks to Principality Building Society. 

Supporters, players, coaches and volunteers from grassroots teams are being encouraged to enter Principality’s Clubhouse Quiz. With many clubs affected by widespread flooding at the start of this year and now closed indefinitely due to coronavirus, the building society is continually looking for ways to support grassroots rugby clubs in Wales. 

One club will win the special rugby quiz for up to 100 people associated with the team – such as playing squads, their families, coaches, fans, bar staff, grounds staff - with lots of prizes to be won. Nigel Owens, who holds the world record for most test matches refereed, will host the quiz over video conferencing platform Zoom, while the chosen club can also expect a guest appearance by a Welsh international. 

As sponsors of Principality Stadium and the National Youth Leagues for grassroots clubs in Wales, Principality has a strong relationship with the Welsh Rugby Union and knows how much rugby means to communities across the country. As matches and all sport are on hold currently, the building society wants to be able to bring the buzz of the clubhouse to living rooms. 

Players coaches and volunteers from the winning club will play against each other in the six-round rugby-themed quiz, with prizes for first, second and third places. There will also be bonus questions in each round where players will get the chance to win prizes donated specially by Principality, including Principality Stadium tours and rugby shirts. 

Clubhouse Quiz host, Nigel Owens said: “Rugby clubs play an important role in our communities and many players won’t have seen their teammates for some time now. This is an opportunity to bring people together online and test their rugby knowledge at the same time. I’m used to refereeing 30 players on the pitch, so managing a club of up to 100 people over Zoom will be a different challenge altogether. It’ll be great fun and I’m sure I won’t have to put anyone in the sin bin. It’s a fantastic idea by Principality to bring the rugby community together.”

Julie-Ann Haines, Chief Customer Officer at Principality Building Society, said: “Many rugby clubs across Wales have had a really difficult year, with flood damage to pitches and clubhouses, now followed by coronavirus. So much of life as we know it has been put on pause for the safety of our NHS, other key workers, friends, families and ourselves. 

“While rugby matches and the camaraderie of the clubhouse atmosphere are on hold for now, we hope that this very special clubhouse quiz for one Welsh team will bring plenty of laughs in this challenging time.”

Teams can enter their club through Principality’s website, where clubs can be entered multiple times but only one entry per person. The competition opens at 9am on Wednesday 29th April and closes on Wednesday 6th May at 12pm.  The quiz questions will be made publically available after the quiz has been held, for other clubs to host their own event.

For more information and T&Cs, go to: www.principality.co.uk/clubhousequiz

Published: 29/04/2020