London Welsh are starting a networking forum for Oxfordshire business people.

It will be launched tomorrow night at the rugby club’s Aviva Premiership clash at home to Gloucester.

The Exiles, who are based at the Kassam Stadium, Oxford, aim to foster relationships with local people in the commercial world through a new Business Club.

Board member Dan Langford said: “Business people are always trying to develop their networks, and we’re trying to facilitate that.

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“We don’t have a specific target [for the Business Club membership] because, ultimately, if it’s going to become a success, it’s going to be driven by its members.”

Mr Langford, marketing director for national recruitment firm Acorn, said: “We’re anticipating about a hundred people for this launch event, and we’ll go from there.”

The London Welsh Business Club launch event, which starts at 6pm, is free. But subsequent events will have a charge to cover costs. Annual membership is priced at £35 plus VAT. The club will hold about six events throughout the year at different locations in Oxford, featuring senior figures in business and sport as guest speakers.

Mr Langford, who joined the rugby club’s board six months ago, said the move followed London Welsh’s move back to the Premiership competition, after being in the Championship last season.

He said: “We wanted to develop a vehicle for businesses to re-engage with us. Rugby seems to meet the demographics of Oxford extremely well.”

When asked if the Business Club might also be an avenue to attract sponsors for the rugby team, he replied: “You never know. If people want to engage at a deeper level with the club, we’ll welcome that.”

London Welsh has committed to play its home games at the Kassam Stadium for the next three years.

For information about the London Welsh Business Club, email paul.obrien@london-welsh.co.uk.

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