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Birmingham business neighbours scrum down for Six Nations game

Two French managers at a hotel in Birmingham have kicked off a rugby rivalry with their English neighbours ahead of France’s Six Nations game against England this Saturday.

The Campanile Hotel Birmingham in Chester Street in Aston has challenged neighbouring chartered accountancy firm KSA Associates to a pre-rugby game friendly – and the winner will be based on the results of the match in Paris.

The managers of both firms will be rooting for their home teams to win as the losing side will be forced to take part in a company forfeit and donate one hour of their time to their rivals.

Matthieu Vandendaele, general manager at the Campanile Hotel Birmingham, which is part of the French Hotel Group Louvre Hotels, said: “As avid French supporters we thought it would be great fun to generate a bit of friendly competition with our English neighbours KSA Associates.

“And what better way to spice up the rival rugby game than by making the losing side take part in a forfeit.

“A few of the directors at KSA Associates are rugby fans and were more than happy to take us up on the challenge.

“I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that the best team wins because if France lose I will be working on KSA Associates’ reception for an hour.”

Nathan Golby, director at KSA Associates, who specialise in providing their clients with an outsourced accounts department service, said he is never afraid to take on a challenge.

He said: “We thought it was a fantastic idea. A couple of us are massive rugby fans and I’m really hoping England doesn’t let me down otherwise I will be putting the washing up gloves on!

“We like to encourage our staff to be strong team players and the competition has been a great opportunity for us to not only get to know our neighbours better but has also boosted workplace moral on both sides.”

KSA Associates has also set-up the Birmingham Rugby Business Network for business professionals interested in the sport and has organised the first event at The Jam House, at St Paul’s Square, Birmingham on March 6.

The Campanile Hotel Birmingham includes 111 rooms, which are suited for both business and leisure as well as state of the art conference suites for hire.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sophie Marsden .