FORMER Warriors stars who have fallen on hard times will be among those helped with the launch of a new ambassador programme by the Sixways club.
Ex-players who have represented the club in the professional era will be invited to get involved in matchday activities at Sixways, while the club have also launched a charitable trust to help former Warriors and their families at a time of need or crisis.
A committee has been set up, headed by former Warriors wing Nick Baxter, to compile an extensive database of former players and their contact details.
Every former player on the database has been asked if they could support the programme by getting involved in a matchday activity at Sixways at least once during the season. Those activities will include being a matchday host, taking part in a question-and-answer session or visiting sponsors’ boxes.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for former Warriors players to re-connect with old team-mates, share a few beers and also support a charity which has been set up to help them and their families in their hour of need,” said Baxter.
“Colin and Jason (Goldring and Whittingham, owners) appreciate the contribution players have made to the success of Warriors in the professional era and they want to recognise and value all the hard work they have put in to make Warriors one of the top 12 clubs in England.
“Ambassadors can also support Warriors by utilising their network of their business contacts to open up new commercial opportunities for the club or taking part in guest coaching sessions at local clubs and schools.
“There will be two major fund-raising events during the year to support the Charitable Trust, an annual dinner or ball and also matches between past players against counterparts from other Gallagher Premiership clubs. By supporting the Ambassadors programme, former players will be supporting a charity which will support them.”
Baxter will be joined by former lock Steve Lloyd, scrum-half Matt Powell, lock Craig Gillies and Scotland centre Alex Grove as lead ambassadors.
Baxter joined Warriors from Kings Norton and was a prolific try-scorer during the club’s rapid rise from Midlands Two to the Championship. He later joined Birmingham & Solihull and became the first player to score 150 career National League tries. He now runs Worcester-based Baxter Williams.
