Hospice rugby team tackles Barbarians logo row

A charity rugby team raising funds for the hospice that provides palliative care to their organiser has ended up in a row with an official rugby union club over its name.

Hospice Barbarians have raised nearly £55,000 for St Michael's Hospice in Bartestree, in Hereford, since they were founded in 2023.

Organiser Nick Nenadich, who has stage four cancer, said the official club, Barbarians Rugby FC, asked them to stop using the name before it later asked them to "tone down" their logo.

A statement issued by Barbarians FC said talks had been ongoing for a while with the charity team to ensure the trademarked name was used in the right way.

Mr Nenadich said: "We are, with the greatest respect, a group of four or five people who thought it would be a good idea to organise a game of rugby.

"It's a million miles away from a commercial enterprise, and all we're trying to do is support our local hospice. It's as simple as that."

Mr Nenadich said the last thing he wanted to do was to bring any difficulty or challenges to St Michael's.

"I've been a palliative user. I go there for pain management, and they're absolutely incredible," he said.

"It's truly a remarkable service, and I can't really speak highly enough of them."

He said he spoke to a director of Barbarians FC who asked them to "tone down" the charity team's logo.

He admitted he had gone to the hospice art department and given them a Barbarians logo and asked them to adapt it, adding: "That was down to me."

But he said: "It's just got a bit silly. It's so distant from reality and what's important in life. We're not trying to be the Barbarians or take any of their esteemed glory.

"We're just a group of guys who have embraced the notion of supporting their hospice.

"What more of a community gesture could you ask for?"

The official team's statement said the club had "a long and proud sporting and charity history".

It said: "The on-field popularity of the club enables extensive charity work through our charitable trust.

"With the proud history, it is important the club's name and logo are protected."

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