Big Bug Sports was founded in January 2000 to focus on managing the career of elite rugby union players. We started working with Northampton Saints players Budge Pountney and Matt Dawson in January 2000, and represented four of the England RWC 2003 squad (Cohen, Dawson, Luger & Worsley). 10 years on, we continue to take the quality-over-quantity approach.
Big Bug offers elite UK and Irish players full-service management in their rugby and commercial affairs. Where some agents will offer a one-off service for contract work, Big Bug provides the all-year attention by those who prefer or require a more business-like approach.
Despite our “boutique” positioning, we’ve managed player clients through over 600 international caps, one RWC success and three European Cup wins. We concentrate on the commercial off-field elements so the player can get on with his own on-field performance. Specialising in rugby, we know all the elite clubs and how they like to work, the media, the key sponsors and their agencies.
Big Bug extended rugby activities in early 2004, setting up the Big Bug Boots
service to provide a supply of boots, trainers and essential player equipment
to pro clubs through visits to their place of work. With the support of adidas,
Asics, Mizuno and Nike the dedicated service has grown to support
the players, staff and academies at over 50 league and union clubs as well as most rugby agents.
Dave worked in journalism, copywriting and PR before embarking on a nine year career with sports brand Puma (in the UK and Germany) with management roles in sports promotion, PR and investor relations. Before leaving Puma in autumn 1999, he held the position of Head of Marketing, Europe.
Elite player management required an extension of his competencies
in brand marketing, media and sponsorship into an understanding of
tax accounting, employment law and insurance cover as it applies to pro rugby.
Not to mention continuing to develop contacts and a reputation for competency
in a young, growing industry.
Dave is an RFU registered agent.
Dave is also the co-publisher of Running Rugby - a magazine for decision makers in Union and League (see www.runningrugby.com).
Rob McEvoy
Rob manages the retail side of our business (see big bug boots), developing and maintaining relationships with pro-rugby customers in both codes as well as the suppliers who we help reach those markets. He has ten years of experience in rugby union having worked as a commercial manager for Sale Sharks, Cornish Pirates and London Welsh. Rob joined Big Bug Sports in July 2011.
James Bartolo
James Bartolo concentrates on media, sponsorship and commercial activity for Big Bug player clients and www.runningrugby.com (the B2B website for rugby decision makers). He has extensive rugby connections having played age group rugby for Edinburgh, first team for Fylde and represented Malta. He came to us with 18 months sales experience with Match Point, the leading sports hospitality company. James was also club captain at Murrayfield Wanderers before moving south.
