Client
Hastings Rugby and Sports Club (HRS) – A proud Hawke’s Bay-based club with a rich Marist rugby legacy.
Project Overview
HRS approached me to design a formal bid proposal document for hosting the 94th Spillane Cup Tournament in 2026 — New Zealand’s premier annual Marist rugby event. The proposal would be submitted to the New Zealand Marist Rugby Football Federation, with the goal of securing hosting rights for the national tournament.
Objectives
The document needed to:
- Clearly demonstrate HRS’s capability to host a national event
- Reflect the club’s heritage and connection to the Marist rugby community
- Present logistical and facility information in an easy-to-digest format
- Create a professional, polished impression aligned with national expectations
My Role
As designer, I was responsible for:
- Developing the visual design and layout of the full proposal document
- Creating a modular format suitable for digital and print
- Designing custom graphics including venue maps, schedules, and visual highlights of the club’s facilities
- Applying consistent branding throughout while subtly incorporating both HRS and NZ Marist visual cues
Design Approach
The design strikes a balance between tradition and professionalism — incorporating both the Marist and HRS club colours, and identity while presenting the content in a clean, structured format. Each section needed to be easily digestible and to the point, covering:
- Club history and Marist involvement
- Facilities and field capacity
- Accommodation and travel options
- Proposed event schedule and structure
- Sponsorship and community support
Emphasis was placed on readability, visual hierarchy, and brand alignment, using sharp typography, high-quality imagery, and clear section breaks.
Outcome
The final proposal was delivered digitally, suitable for both presentation and print. It helped position HRS as a confident, capable host with deep ties to the Marist rugby tradition. Initial feedback from club representatives and supporters was extremely positive.
