THAT was an excellent letter/article by Bob Reeves in last Sunday’s TRP.
I have heard from friends involved in grassroots rugby in England, how difficult it is for clubs to survive with barriers, be they geographical or otherwise, seemingly erected by the RFU.
What interested me most was Bob’s suggestion re criteria for promotion, qualified coaching and staff etc. Surely this should be a part of governance laid down and supported by the RFU?
In Wales, the WRU has a club investment model, where clubs are rewarded financially via a grant for criteria, such as number of age grade and women’s teams, qualified coaches, referees, first aiders, child protection officers
The use of the club as a community social hub is also encouraged. Clubs are encouraged to be business minded, aim to be carbon neutral and work towards being sustainable. The WRU works with Sport Wales, to assist clubs in applying for grants to achieve these aims. My club, Swansea Uplands RFC, have recently benefited from a grant towards the installation of a solar array, to reduce our energy costs, and our carbon footprint.
If there is a similar program in England, assisting clubs, none of my contacts are aware of them. Clubs are in the main run by volunteers, and in Wales we benefit greatly from the assistance we receive from the WRU club development department.
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