WE ARE URGING SUPPORT LOCAL ALL MUST STICK

CLUBS in Wales have welcomed the decision of the Welsh Rugby Union to dole out extra funding after being forced to scrap the rest of their season.

They were reacting to the governing body ruling out promotion and relegation and cancelling remaining fixtures as the country tackles the health crisis caused by the Coronavirus pandemic emergency.

Each club has been awarded an additional £1,000 in funding from the union and will receive grant payments as normal at the end of next month.

We quizzed a random sample of clubs around Wales about how they were coping with the crisis, whether they could weather the Covid-19 storm and stay afloat financially until rugby resumes, hopefully in six month’s time for the start of next season.

Here’s what they had to say...

DUNVANT RFC

THEY were in the top flight of Welsh rugby for a spell before the advent of the regional tier and finished the truncated campaign top of Divison One West Central.

Secretary Paul Loughlin said: “We have got about 400 players. With the clubhouse being closed we are going to lose out from a financial point of view ... our revenue has dropped to zero.

“Thankfully, Sky and BT Sport have stopped taking payments for their television sports services.

“The home matches we had left were probably worth £6,000 in sponsorship.

“Without money coming into the club it’s a finger in the air job.

“I’ve been in touch with our insurance cover to find out if our policy covers us for lost revenue during a pandemic and am awaiting a response.

“We are hoping people will stick with us and still sponsor the club. We have a two-for-one where people pay £10 with £5 going to the club and £5 to a prize money draw.

“We had 47 people from an Ontario school in Canada over for the Wales v Scotland game, but it was postponed at the last minute and after the WRU had banked the ticket money.

“That means we’ve had to give a cheque to the school and claim the ticket money back from the WRU.

“We are urging people to support their local rugby clubs. Everyone should pull together during these traumatic times.”

PEMBROKE DOCK QUINS RFC

SECRETARY Stewart Longhurst said: “We are disappointed the season has ended as it was getting to its climax but, at the same time, we totally understand the reason.

“I think we will OK in the shortterm, but what happens in the longer-term who knows?

“It’s a worry, not just from a financial point of view, but from a rugby angle. Training twice a week and playing on a Saturday is a habit for players.

“Will they get out of the habit and not come back when rugby resumes? It will be interesting to see where we stand when we come out of it.

“I think we need the WRU to be really proactive and start to lead, which we are seeing signs of.”

GLYNCORRWG RFC

Secretary Glenn Lewis said: “I don’t think we can answer what will happen. Personally, I can’t see any rugby taking place in September when next season is due to start.

“We are 13 games unbeaten this season and 18 points clear at the top of Division Three West Central.

“But what’s more important, winning a trophy at the end of the season or somebody’s life?

“It was the right decision to end the season. The extra money from the WRU will help us.

“Our clubhouse was open every day of the week but we’ve had to shut. It and sponsors contributed to our income. But we will survive.”

PONTRHYDYFEN RFC

SECRETARY Dennis Roberts said: “The clubhouse shut on Friday night but we will battle on.

“Bar takings is the main thing for us and we are going to lose them until the crisis is contained.

“We run six junior sides and have some bills to pay but we will keep going.

“I feel sorry for teams like Glyncorrwg, who haven’t lost a game, but aren’t going to be promoted now.”

ABERAVON GREEN STARS RFC

Anthony Cooksley, secretary of the Central West Division 3A club, said: “We have shut the club up and will PICTURE: Huw Evans Agency review the situation in a few weeks.

“We had 11 games left to play and will lose income. We could be in big trouble but it’s the same for everybody with nobody being able to predict what’s going to happen.

“We have got a huge kids and minirugby section with seven junior sides. We also have senior, youth, mixed ability teams, a women’s section, pool and darts teams so there’s a lot to consider.”

PENCLAWDD RFC

ALISON Evans, who is secretary of the Division One West club, said: “It’s tough for everything and I hope, from a rugby point of view, our players don’t become despondent and find other things to do.

“From a business point of view we took the decision to close the clubhouse last Wednesday night.

“We not only had the worry about the health of our staff but our members. We thought it was only a matter of time before the season was called off.

“We have got children under three taking part in indoor little rugby and teams all the way up to youth, senior second and firsts.

“We will still have to pay energy bills but the WRU is giving clubs more money.

“Are we going to be able to open