35th Annual Midlands Sporting Luncheon – Horton Suite – Macdonald Burlington Hotel Birmingham
The Macdonald Burlington Hotel is easily accessible, opposite New Street Station in the heart of Birmingham City Centre. Guests will enjoy a 4-Course luncheon before our resident Master of Ceremonies, Tim Stimpson, a former British and Irish Lion International (South Africa 1997) and capped for England on 19 occasions, will interview our Guest of Honour on all things Rugby. Their career, the highs and lows and much more. The Festive fun is brought to a close with entertainment from a renowned circuit comedian. Expect plenty of laughs before the event concludes at approx. 16:45.
Hilarious and sharp witted observational comedy at the most recent luncheon in 2024 was provided by acclaimed comedian and corporate after dinner speaker Paul Boardman. His father Stan Boardman has also been a popular and successful comedian in a five decade career that began all the way back in the 1970s.
Not only is he a regular on the famed Jongleurs Comedy Circuit that sees him perform across the United Kingdom, he has performed on television on ‘Friday Night Live’.
Boardman is also a well respected presenter in the world of football, having been a freelance presenter on Sky Sports for 8 years.
Paul Boardman also had a career in football as a player, signing for Plymouth Argyle whilst the Pilgrims were under the management of iconic England Goalkeeper Peter Shilton. Paul also found the back of the net on his league debut – scoring against South Coast rivals Bournemouth.
Our Guest of Honour for 2024 was Alun Wyn Jones. He is the world’s most-capped rugby union player, with 170 Caps overall, which includes no less than 12 Caps for the British & Irish Lions, and he also holds the record for the most Wales caps (158).
Jones captained the British & Irish Lions during their 2021 tour in South Africa and stands among a select few, as one of only four players chosen for four Lions tours, having also represented them in South Africa (2009), Australia (2013), and in New Zealand (2017).
Additionally, he is one of just seven Welsh players to claim three Grand Slam titles. In 2019, he was honoured as the Six Nations Championship’s best player, and he also earned a nomination for World Rugby Player of the Year that same year.
His senior club career includes Swansea (2004-2006); Ospreys (2005-2023) and Toulon (2023).
This page will be updated once details for the 2025 Annual Midlands Sporting Luncheon have been confirmed.
Feel free to register your interest by filling in the form at the bottom of this page, or by calling us on 0121 233 6500.
Previous Guests of Honour include: Â Brian O’Driscoll, Jason Robinson OBE, Dylan Hartley, Mike Tindall MBE, Sam Warburton OBE, Phil Vickery MBE, Simon Shaw MBE, Jason Leonard OBE, Will Greenwood MBE, Ben Kay MBE, Will Carling OBE, Gavin Hastings OBE, Rob Andrew MBE, Sir Ian McGeechan OBE, Willie John McBride CBE, Sir Clive Woodward OBE & Sir Bill Beaumont CBE.