Bringing The Lions home to connect with fans took on even more importance in 2021 and we went that extra mile to help create some incredible memories.
With the help of official Lions partner Vodafone, we scoured the length and breadth of the UK and Ireland to unearth genuine ‘Superfans’ to give them a Lions experience that broke new ground in fan engagement. Check out their stories here.
Mark and Mel Probert
Both rugby fanatics, the pair were due to marry last year and attend the 2021 Tour as part of their honeymoon. Due to the pandemic, this dream had to be put on hold, but their passion for the game and this series squad has not been broken. Although huge Gloucester Rugby fans, Mark and Mel relocated to Northamptonshire where Mel regularly practises tag rugby at her local club and never misses a men’s or women’s game.
The couple, who are now due to marry this summer, were grateful to still be able to make such a special 2021 Lions Tour memory with Lions debutant, Chris Harris. Mel Probert said: “It was surreal – who would have thought we could still connect with the players at such a personal level in the midst of the Tour, from 8,000 miles away – and one of our favourite Gloucester boys at that! It was incredible. The autograph came out as if we were right there with them in South Africa.”
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Mark & Mel
Graham Bartlett
Graham waited his whole life to attend a Lions Tour and on the day of his retirement, booked his first series Tour, following the Lions around Australia back in 2013 and then again in New Zealand in 2017. A pillar of the community, Graham previously supported his son’s school rugby team and went onto coach several youth teams due to his belief in the positive power rugby can have on a community. Graham would have attended his third consecutive Tour this year in South Africa, before COVID struck.
The seasoned Tourer was surprised by Maro Itoje and watched on as he wrote him a personal message directly onto his shirt: “Given we weren’t able to fly out to South Africa this summer; this experience is about as good as it gets. To be able to share words of encouragement with one of our nation’s greatest players and have that moment of connection during the 5G signing is such a privilege and a memory that I’ll cherish for years to come.”