Welcome to our New Sponsor, The Briar Group

This spring saw the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Charles River. During the winter of 2014 longtime Charles River sponsor and social home Stadium Bar in South Boston closed its doors for good. This came as a surprise to many and presented club leaders with a high priority need in order to keep River competitive on the social and recruitment fronts.

 Serendipity was the 16th player for Charles River in the off-season as a group of women’s players who were having a pint and visiting with their teammate Kate Condon while she tended bar at the Green Briar in Brighton were introduced to her boss Desmond “Dessie” Kerins. A conversation that touched on the fact that the club was with a bar to call its own led to more in-depth discussions between the Briar Group management and leaders from the club. Ultimately an agreement was reached which saw the Briar Group become the new bar sponsor of Charles River.
The Briar Group brings a tremendous history of involvement with the Boston rugby community. The Harp, in Boston’s West End, currently serves as the home bar of Mystic River RFC. For over 25 years the Briar Group was also a principal sponsor of the Boston Irish Wolfhounds.
Even in the short time since the agreement was struck players, supporters, and visiting sides have been impressed by how professional and easy to work with the Briar Group has been. The feeling has been mutual, as managers of the various Briar Group properties have let River leadership know they consider the club a great group of people and a pleasure to have around.
Beyond club activities Briar Group management has promised to work with all members of the Charles River community, active and Old Boys/Gals alike, to find space for personal and professional events at any of their venues across Greater Boston at competitive rates. This is a great sponsor benefit and one that the leaders of Charles River are happy that we can share with our teammates and those who have contributed to the legacy of the club.
Looking at a busy social calendar for the remainder of the summer and heading into the fall, the Charles River/Briar Group partnership promises to provide all members of the River family with great opportunities to celebrate wins, meet new players, and fill the halls with that most important rallying cry of all – UP RIVER!