There's something special happening at The Haberden, and we're delighted to be part of it.
This season, Bury St Edmunds Rugby Union Football Club has given its supporters one of those years they'll talk about for a long time. The Men's 1st XV secured promotion to National League 1 as champions, sealing it in style with a 95-28 win over Old Albanian. And the Men's 2nd XV, the Wolfhounds, lifted the Counties 1 Eastern Counties Championship 2025-2026.
Two teams. Two promotions. One very proud sponsor.
Why Bury Rugby?
For ActionCOACH Bury St Edmunds, this isn't just sponsorship. It's personal.
Our Managing Director Martin Baillie has a deep passion for the game and sees something powerful in what's happening at the club. As Martin shared on LinkedIn after the 1st XV's title-winning performance:
"This is what happens when a team is completely aligned with the same vision, same commitment, same relentless drive. It's not luck. It's what excellence looks like."
Merv Jeffery, who joined the team as a Business Coach in September, brings a lifelong connection to the club. Merv played for Bury from the Under 16s through to the senior ranks, so The Haberden is home turf for him in every sense.
That shared passion is why this season we doubled our commitment, sponsoring the Men's 2nd XV and player-sponsoring Pete White from the 1st XV Wolfpack, who capped a brilliant season with two tries in the promotion-clinching match.
The Rugby and Business Connection
We see a direct link between what makes a rugby club thrive and what makes a business grow.
Teamwork. Resilience. Clear roles. Shared vision. The discipline to show up, week after week, and put the work in when nobody's watching. These aren't just rugby values, they're the foundations of every successful business we coach.
Promotion isn't a stroke of luck. It's the visible result of months of unglamorous graft. Showing up consistently, hard conversations, individual players choosing the team's success over personal glory. Sound familiar? It should. It's the same pattern we see in every business that grows beyond what its owner thought possible.
Backing Local Talent
Bury St Edmunds is our home. The businesses we coach are our neighbours, and the club is woven into the community of this town. Backing Bury Rugby is our way of investing in the wider community that supports us.
It's also a reminder that the best things, championships, thriving businesses, strong communities, are built by people who choose to commit, together, over the long haul.
Come and Say Hello
You'll often find Martin and Merv on the touchline at The Haberden during the season. If you spot us, come and say hello. We're always happy to talk rugby, business, or the squad's progress over a pint in the clubhouse.
To everyone at Bury St Edmunds Rugby Union Football Club, players, coaches, volunteers, supporters and the wider Bury Rugby Family, congratulations on a phenomenal season. We can't wait to see what comes next.
Bring on National League 1.
