Increased funding would help us to house more teams

IT WAS disappointing to read Jeff Probyn’s apparent dismissal of the benefit to be had from the proposed increase in RFU funding for grassroots rugby.

He is right to highlight the problem caused by fixture difficulties for lower sides and I would hope that this issue is receiving serious consideration by the RFU hierarchy – they might start by making it less difficult for clubs to enter lower sides in RFU leagues!

Despite this problem, many clubs, like my own at Bishop’s Stortford, still manage to put out four or five senior sides on a regular basis; but this has happened only as a result of a lot of hard work by committed volunteers.

I’m sure that Stortford is not alone in facing additional, avoidable struggles because of inadequate, out of date facilities. Our changing rooms, built in the days when a matchday squad comprised only 15 players, are too small so visiting first teams need two of our rooms and, if both 1sts and 2nds are at home we cannot accommodate a third, let alone fourth match.

With a ladies team and advanced plans for developing a girls’ section this problem becomes even greater. Additional changing rooms are urgently needed. Clubs like mine would heartily welcome additional funding support for such facilities and could guarantee a player – and volunteer – retention benefit from such investment.

Jeff is right, money alone will not solve the problems facing the grassroots game – but to suggest there is no scope for increased funding to boost our great game, where it most matters is wrong. JOHN ALLANSON Bishop’s Stortford