The Brussels Barbarians have the honour of having several Club Patrons from various walks of life in Belgium who support the club and Rugby in Belgium.

Sir Robert Atkins

Sir Robert has been a Member of the European Parliament since 1999 and prior to that he was a Member of the UK Parliament for 18 years, 10 of which were as a senior Government Minister (including Minister for Sport).

His rugby interests include being Vice President of Preston Grasshoppers RFC, Patron of Garstang RUFC, Member of the Wooden Spoon Society and Sponsor of the Lancashire Schools v Ulster Schools Annual Competition.

For further information please visit his website - http://www.sir-robertatkins.org/

Mr. Ed Cutting

In September of 2003, Mr. Ed Cutting joined the list of stars and celebrities who now call themselves BBRFC Patrons.

Ed initially joined the BBRFC in the late 90's after a short rugby career at a rival Brussels rugby club. While Ed officially still plays rugby, his games are becoming fewer and far between. However, the BBRFC always appreciate it when Ed makes an appearance on the pitch.

Off the pitch Ed is a family man, half marathoner, former President of the British Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and a financial advisor for Fulcra International. Ed is obviously a busy man and the BBRFC are honored to have such a prominent individual as a patron of the BBRFC.

Mr. Alastair Sutton

Al played scrum half for BBRFC during the 1970s.

Mr. Alastair Sutton is a member of the English Bar and partner of White & Case LLP, concentrating in the law and policy of the European Union, international trade and English public law, including actions before the European and English courts involving EU law. His practice focuses on EU economic and constitutional law (especially involving EU "single market" law, competition and state aids, intellectual property, the free movement of goods, financial services, direct and indirect tax, and monetary law), energy policy (especially nuclear, natural gas and electricity), environmental protection, agriculture, high-technology industries (especially in the entertainment sector), automobiles, food, drink and tobacco, textiles, steel and shipbuilding. As a former EU trade negotiator, GATT/WTO (especially dispute settlement) is also an important part of Mr. Sutton's practice.

Mr. Sutton joins as another significant patron to the Brussels Barbarians Rugby Football Club.

Mr. Freddy Thielemans

Freddy learnt to play rugby withh BBRFC during the late 70's early 80's as a prop, and took part in the Vancouver Tour in 1982.

Born in Laeken in 1944, Freddy Thielemans lived there during all his childhood. From this, he developed deep ties to Brussels region and life, a feeling of belonging to a tradition that flows in his veins: fan of the Brussels dialect, the Marollese (from the Marolles quarter), which he spoke with his grand father, he, anyway, learned its diversity and culture mix through his mother who was born in the "Klein Brabant".

His lifelong theoretical political interest is confronted against the reality he finds when he is offered to work with young socialists. In 1994 he becomes the short-lived Mayor of the Brussels town, an office he got back to in 2000 and which he should keep till 2012.

Freddy Thielemans, being a through and through resident of Brussels, is also a very cheeky chap -they are not made anymore like this: it is an aspect of his personality which he does not give up on, and that he even considers complementary to his functions. A mean to relax, perhaps? Without any doubt, but not as much as when he goes on a jaunt with his Harley Davidson: "My bike, it is my freedom", he states proudly.

Mr. Martin Blackwell

Martin played many seasons for BBRFC during the 70s and 80s, from 1980-83 he as was 1st team captain, and then chairman of the club for several more years.

Mr. Martin Blackwell is a partner with Ernst & Young in Belgium and has been a significant patron for the Brussels Barbarians for a number of years.