A Side Line Symphony: When Corporate Meets Club

Easts President Dave Allen

By Angus Hayman

No weekend at Woollahra is complete without a game of rugby, few cold schooners, and at least one bloke halfway through a merger deal between tries.

This past Saturday, though, the rugby took a brief back seat to celebrate a different kind of Easts stalwart, those who help make it all possible: The Sponsors. In an exclusive pitch-side lunch that blended high finance with grassroots charm, a uniquely Easts crowd gathered. It was a mix of polished shoes and scuffed boots, designer sunglasses and kids covered in sauce from hot chips, all shoulder to shoulder, watching the game unfold.

The occasion could best be described as Easts’ version of a high-powered boardroom, only with better catering and more lineouts. And while there were a couple of power suits in sight, there were just as many Beasties jerseys. This isn’t a place where fans come in one flavour. It’s a tribe united not by titles or trades, but by a shared devotion to the oval-ball theatre played out every Saturday.

The backing from these individuals is colossal, finances aside the emotion is immense. You’ll find them pressed against the balcony fence, eyes on the breakdown, half a schooner in hand, only glancing at their phones when the ball’s out of play. These aren’t fair-weather fans. They’re here week in, week out, often bringing their families, folding chairs, and even a few big deals to chew on while the Beasties charge up field.

I was lucky enough to sneak into the sponsor’s lunch and the atmosphere was everything you’d expect. Between bites and banter, I asked one guest if they were having a good time. His answer? “Well, my kids are happy on the jumping castles, and I’m drinking beer and eating canapés… so it’s not too bad.”

I also happened to overhear Club President, and full-time rugby tragic; Dave Allen discussing his next business trip to Auckland. Word is, the itinerary includes a few well-timed meetings around the Wallabies vs All Blacks at Eden Park. Just goes to show, whether it’s the boardroom or the breakdown, rugby is never far from Dave’s agenda.

At Easts, we like to say rugby is our passion, but it’s more than that. It’s the blend of people, the diehard juniors coach, the local legend, the retired second-rower, the mum who never misses a match, and yes, the dealmaker in a navy blazer. This crowd of mixed personalities and colours never find it hard to find the common ground, so long as the Beasties are running out and the scoreboard is ticking.

Because whether you're running the ball or running a portfolio, the spirit is the same: commitment, community, and the occasional tactical sidestep.

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