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04-Apr-2025
The logistics of elite team representation
As the longstanding tour specialists for Clermont Auvergne, we were again privileged to look after the Top 14 giants during their EPCR Champions Cup campaign this season culminating in the Quarter Final match at the Cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens, home of the Northampton Saints in early April. It was a competitive and highly entertaining match in front of packed and expectant crowd, in which the English champions eventually ran out the winners in a high scoring encounter. The evening was only marred by some serious injuries to a number of the French players including the hospitalisation of the Clermont captain - the Western Samoan international star - Fritz Lee.
Our Managing Director, Ashley Gowing, has worked with Clermont Rugby for 20 years, handling all of their matches when playing in the UK and Ireland, organising their hotel accommodation, transport, logistics and local representation. This has included six European finals and matches at the Aviva in Dublin, Murrayfield and Twickenham. He also also organised training camps in Spain and Portugal over the years and assisted with the club's staff technical and relationship building visits to the USA.
Ashley recalls Fritz Lee's European debut away at Llanelli Scarlets in 2013 when talismanic captain Aurelien Rougerie was sent to the sin bin! Twelve years on and now Team Manager, Rougerie liaisies with Ashley for all overseas matches in the competition while Fritz is now the retiring Club Captain, himself. At Northampton Saints, Fritz suffered a double fracture of his left leg in an unfortunate incident in the latter stages of the match and was taken by ambulance to Northampton General hospital. Ashley spent the night and following day with Fritz, acting as translator for the Clermont Team doctor as intermediary with the hospital staff and surgeons. Clermont doctor Thomas Laude said "thank you, a thousand times for your help Ashley. It would have been impossible for me without your support." It had been an unexpected extension to their workload after the departure of the team for their private flight home after the game. The stay had otherwise run smoothly from their arrival at East Midlands Airport, comfortable hotel accommodation, Captain's Run at the stadium and pre-match preparation.
After successful surgery the following day, the hospital discharge papers were prepared. Ashley ensured that the necessary logistics on site were finalised including hotel reservations and onward transfer for doctor and player accordingly, ready for a safe and comfortable return to France. After his operation, Fritz Lee said "thank you Ashley for everything that you have done for me and the team."
Whether you are touring with a school sports team, an amateur club or an elite powerhouse of European rugby, we are here for you every step along the way. We strive to ensure that our customer service is second to none. After all this time in the sports travel business looking after teams at every level, it's still a pleasure and a privilege to do the job that we do.