Business rivals set to clash on rugby field in support of Bristol Bears Community Foundation

South West businesses are squaring up for a Bristol Bears Community Foundation tag rugby tournament.

Foundation staff have teamed up to organise the annual fundraising tournament with the Bristol-based team of design and build specialists, Paramount, which has an office on the city’s historic Welsh Back.

Thanks to their collaboration, soon teams of men and women from across the business community will be swapping the workplace for the rugby field to try to raise money for the foundation which supports local communities in and around Bristol.

Over the next few months some 36 teams from across the property and construction, finance and legal, and business service sectors will be lining up to do battle for sporting glory when the seven-a-side competition kicks off in March at Lockleaze Sports Centre.

Bristol Bears Community Foundation Development Manager Craig Capel said: “The money raised by our friends in the business world will support the valuable work we do across communities in the South West.

“This popular tournament is designed to be fun and inclusive first and foremost, but with a competitive edge and we’re hoping that companies across the South West will join us to raise vital funds for a great cause.

“Every penny raised will help us make sure that the power of rugby is used to support the most disadvantaged members of our communities and engage children from the age of five to people as old as 103.”

Business leaders are now being invited to sign up for the tournament heats.

Sulli Gardner, Paramount Business Development Manager, said: “There’s a healthy rivalry across the South West business community and we know this will come to the fore in the name of the Bristol Bears Community Foundation.

“We’re looking forward to a set of fantastic events, suitable for all levels of sporting ability, but also with everyone keen to show off their sporting prowess and to secure local bragging rights.”

Teams will be made up of seven players, with males and females taking part, and rules stipulating that two female players must be on the field at any one time, with each squad having a total of 10 players.