Eorl Crabtree, former England rugby league international, has secured a 20-year venue deal for Midlands Hurricanes in Bournville.<\/p>\n
Since taking over as managing director, he has also increased commercial income and stabilised professional rugby league in Birmingham.<\/p>\n
Crabtree, who played 423 professional games and represented England 13 times, credits the government-backed Help to Grow: Management Course for giving him the confidence to transition into senior management.<\/p>\n
Crabtree said: \u201cI only ever saw my career going in one direction at the Giants. I’d given them 25 years of my life and have fantastic memories of the club, but after such a long time I was ready for my next move.”<\/p>\n
The Hurricanes, founded in 2021 after rebranding from Coventry Bears, were struggling financially prior to Crabtree\u2019s arrival.<\/p>\n
Since taking over, he has moved the club from Alexander Stadium to Avery Fields, expanded commercial operations through sponsorship, achieved record season-ticket and shirt sales, and increased social media engagement.<\/p>\n
The club has also strengthened ties with the local sporting community, partnering with Bournville Rugby Union Club and Warwickshire Cricket Club, while launching a wheelchair rugby league team and developing a foundation to nurture grassroots rugby talent.<\/p>\n
The Rugby Football League has designated Avery Fields for regional and national finals, bringing more players and families to the city.<\/p>\n
Crabtree said: \u201cThis is about building something lasting for Birmingham. Rugby league has always been seen as a northern sport, but we’re proving it can thrive here. The 20-year deal shows we’re committed to this city for the long haul.”<\/p>\n
\u201cI’m a rugby lad, I’ve never considered myself academic, but the course seemed like a great opportunity to help me develop my post-playing career\u2026 I quickly realised everyone has a different story and that I deserved to be among these business leaders.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn rugby league, when you make an error, you hold your hands up and move on immediately. I believe in that same approach in business \u2013 creating an environment where people can do things their own way, make mistakes, learn, and keep moving forward. The course validated that this style of leadership works.\u201d<\/p>\n
Flora Hamilton, executive director of the Small Business Charter said: \u201cEorl’s story shows that leadership skills are transferable with the right support \u2013 the resilience, team-building, and strategic thinking he developed on the pitch have translated brilliantly into business leadership. The course gave him the frameworks and confidence to back himself, and the results speak for themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Eorl Crabtree has strengthened the Midlands Hurricanes, boosting commercial growth and securing long-term stability since becoming MD<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":266702,"featured_media":2110497,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[120904],"coauthors":[127717],"class_list":["post-2110489","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sport","tag-featured-story","tag-greater-birmingham"],"yoast_head":"\n