Midland Sporting Luncheon: What you need to know

Here, we take you through everything you need to know about this year’s event, including our guest of honour for 2023, Shaun Edwards OBE.

The annual Midlands Sporting Luncheon is an event that we look forward to every year, and in 2023, we are set for yet another fantastic afternoon in the Luncheon’s 33rd year. This prestigious event will again be held in the Horton Suite at the iconic Macdonald Burlington Hotel in the heart of Birmingham’s City Centre.

This year’s luncheon will be taking place on Wednesday 6th December 2023.

Tim Stimpson will be our Master Of Ceremonies once more, and he will be having what is sure to be a fascinating and insightful conversation with Shaun Edwards OBE, who is the Luncheon’s guest of honour for 2023. In the world of rugby, Shaun is a successful coach, and he has been the defence coach with France since his appointment in 2020. He is also the most decorated player in the history of the rugby league.

In his playing days, Shaun Edwards played for the Wigan Warriors (1983 – 1997), Balmain Tigers (1989), London Broncos (1997; 1999 – 2000), and the Bradford Bulls (1998). Before becoming successful in coaching, he had a trophy-laden playing career.

Throughout his 17-year career as a player, he played as a fullback or as a stand-off.

As a player, he won: the World Club Challenge 3 times (1987, 1991, 1994), the Rugby Football League Championship First Division 8 times (1986/87, 1989/90, 1990/91, 1991/92, 1992/93, 1993/94, 1994/95, 1995/96), the Challenge Cup 9 times (1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995), the Lancashire Cup 5 times (1985/86, 1986/87, 1987/88, 1988/89, 1992/93), the Premiership 5 times (1986/87, 1991/92, 1993/94, 1994/95, 1996) and the Regal Trophy (League Cup) 7 times (1985/86, 1986/87, 1988/89, 1989/90, 1992/93, 1994/95, 1995/96).

His eight straight championships is a record, as is his nine Challenge Cups. He also appeared at three Rugby World Cups.

After a plethora of trophy wins as a player, Shaun retired from playing in 2000 before taking up coaching. His first post was with the London Wasps, who he joined in 2001. He enjoyed a successful ten-year spell with the Wasps, winning two Heineken Cups, four Premiership titles, an Anglo-Welsh trophy and the European Challenge Cup.

Edwards, during his time with the London Wasps, also became defence coach with Wales in 2008. He continued to fill his role with Wales even after he departed the Wasps in 2011. In his eight years with Wales, he was one of the key figures that led them to win four Six Nations Championships, which included no less than three Grand Slams in 2008, 2012 and 2019.

He departed Wales in 2019 before being appointed as a defence coach by France in 2020, winning the Grand Slam in 2022.

We are honoured to have Shaun Edwards with us at this event in 2023. Closing out the afternoon will be the acclaimed and award-winning comedian Rod Woodward. Woodward is very capable of bringing the house down, and he has made two appearances at the highly prestigious Royal Variety Performance in 2014 and 2018.

Take a look at Rod in action at the 2014 Royal Variety Performance here:

If you would like to attend the 33rd annual Midlands Sporting Luncheon in the Horton Suite at the Macdonald Burlington Hotel in style, then book our hospitality package, which includes the following (Price: £149 + VAT):

• Superb four-course lunch.
• Special Guest Of Honour: Shaun Edwards OBE.
• Entertainment by renowned UK comedian Rod Woodward.
• Master Of Ceremonies: Tim Stimpson – former England and British Lions international.
• Heads & Tails, a limited live auction and a silent auction in aid of our nominated charity, Prostate Cancer UK.
• Individual places – private tables of 8, 10 and 12 within the Horton Suite at the Macdonald Burlington Hotel (Smaller parties will be placed on a shared table, while tables of 8 will be situated at the rear of the Suite).
• Cash Bar.

If you want some fascinating insight into rugby from Shaun Edwards and be entertained by world-class comedy while helping to raise as much money as possible for Prostate Cancer UK, book now to avoid disappointment!