People’s Captain Greg Bateman Announces Rugby Retirement   

30th May 2022 – professional rugby player turned beer brewer and positive mental health advocate Greg Bateman (People’s Captain) has announced his retirement from rugby.   

Finishing as a loosehead prop, at Dragons Rugby in Newport, Greg played his last game on 13th May Vs Cardiff at his home turf Rodney Parade.   

Greg is leaving his sports career to focus on People’s Captain craft beer brand which he launched in 2020 on a mission to not only raise money for important initiatives but to be a force for good and use the social nature of craft beer to bring people together and make those social moments count. 

Bateman comments, “I’m retiring from rugby to continue to support the exciting growth of People’s Captain. I’m incredibly grateful to all the coaches, medics and staff that have helped and supported me for the last 12 seasons. I also want to thank the supporters, particularly the Welford Road faithful, who were so compassionate in my hardest times – I’ll never forget that. Thank you to four fantastic clubs who’ve shaped me as a player and a person.”  

Greg’s rugby career began when he was signed to London Welsh in 2012 which followed with a number of seasons at Exeter Chiefs and Leicester Tigers before he joined Dragons Rugby in 2020. 

Greg began brewing beer as a hobby, but after a difficult period of mental health struggles, he had a life-changing beer with a best mate. The pint with his close friend at a pub saved his life because it finally got him to talk about his feelings.  

Since then, it’s become his focus to make social moments count, through the People’s Captain Foundation – supporting positive mental health initiatives across the UK.   

The People’s Captain brand is rapidly growing, and Greg wishes to focus his time on supporting its expansion and ensuring the brand’s efforts has the best positive social impact it can.   

In March 2022, People’s Captain announced a nationwide partnership with independent pub operator Punch Pubs & Co, launching People’s Captain LEGEND American Pale Ale on tap at selected sites across the UK.  

In April 2022, People’s Captain announced their first Limited edition gift set – Latte Latte Love. Joining forces with two like-minded companies, Easy Jose Coffee & Tony’s Chocoloney, they created a triple gift set featuring a limited People’s Captain chocolate stout, sold alongside the socially responsible coffee and chocolate brands’ products.   

People’s Captain have most recently launched a You’re A Legend gift box featuring a selection of People’s Captain’s best beers, alongside a range of snacks by Made For Drink for Father’s Day 2022.    

Greg and the People’s Captain team have been hugely encouraged by the demand from the on trade so far, proving operators are increasingly looking to support and showcase brands dedicated to making a difference. 

Greg said “It’s so exciting and encouraging to have these guys want to be part of meaningful change and we’re so proud to be partnering with them to make it happen. To think this story started in my darkest of times and we’ve turned it into a story of positivity makes me incredibly proud, and these operators are and will continue to be huge part of that.” 

Keep an eye out on People’s Captain website for new products and news coming soon.