Old Elizabethans

Since 2017, I have developed and run the social media presence for Old Elizabethans, overseeing content across Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and TikTok. What started as managing a single grassroots rugby team grew into one of the most recognised and respected social media accounts in the grassroots rugby space — despite the club having just one team.

I was responsible for all aspects of the club’s digital output, including videography, photography, graphic design and ongoing social media management. Through consistent, story-led content, the club became renowned for its creative, entertaining and highly engaging online presence. Social media played a huge role in the club’s growth, helping to raise its profile well beyond the local rugby community.

Across Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok, my content generated over 20 million views, an exceptional achievement for a small, one-team club in Bristol. The club’s TikTok account alone amassed over 308,000 likes and 5,000+ followers, with multiple videos reaching millions of views organically.

The work was regularly featured and shared by major rugby platforms including World Rugby, England Rugby, French Rugby, Squidge Rugby, ITV and Rugby Dump, alongside coverage in local and national press.

Standout pieces included:

• “Prop on the Wing” — 3 million views
• “He waited his whole life for this moment” — 3 million views on Instagram
• “Best 50:22” — 2 million views
• “Barry, Barry, Barry” — reposted by Rugby Dump and achieving over 7 million views across platforms
• “Big Dummy” — 1 million views
• Telling the club captain — 500,000 views

Early work was also picked up by national media, including coverage by Wales Online, helping cement the club’s reputation for standout digital storytelling.

This project remains one of the clearest examples of how thoughtful, entertaining content can drive real growth, visibility and community — even at the grassroots level.