Rugby fans at the Badminton Horse Trials this week are in a for a treat as the British & Irish Lions are in town to promote the 2017 tour to New Zealand.
Entitled the Outdoor Experience, the Supporters Tours team have set up an exhibition stand right next to the entrance to hospitality throughout the five days of competition in South Gloucestershire.
Find out more about Official Lions Supporter Tours here!
With fun activities like a Batak Machine and a Throw-In Challenge, there is plenty for Lions fans to sink their teeth into.
A leaderboard will run throughout the competition at one of the world’s premier three-day events with all sorts of prizes up for grabs.
Lions rugby balls and even the all-new Canterbury 1959 Commemorative Jersey are potential rewards for the most skilled fans out there.
On top of that there are videos with legendary Lions like Ieuan Evans and Geoff Parling to highlight the unique qualities of a Lions tour while brochures are also on hand.
And Matthew Boseley, senior manager of marketing and communications at Lions Supporter Tours, is hoping as many people as possible come down to the Outdoor Experience.
“We are here to promote the Lions and the tour to New Zealand in 2017,” he said.
“There are a lot of people coming up to us, everyone is so excited about the tour next year to such a fabulous country.
“We have all sorts of challenges for fans to take part in to see if they have got what it takes to be a Lion.
“The videos have been great, guys like Ieuan Evans know what it is like to tour with the Lions, and they have both toured New Zealand as players so their insight is fascinating about what to expect next summer.”
And what is it that makes a Lions tour so very special – according to Boseley?
“Lions tours are about the camaraderie, everyone is chasing the same goal,” he added.
“Four different teams come together as one to fight for a common goal. Throw in the fact that we are combating the world champions and clearly this is the biggest and the best.
“A Lions tour against the All Blacks is as good as it gets in rugby and the chance to be a part of that is very special.”
