Jeff’s right, we must protect the grassroots
I COULDN’T agree more with Jeff Probyn highlighting the importance of the RFU being able to ensure a fair slice of central funding for grassroots rugby moving forward. In particular, it is crucial the PGP shortly to be agreed with PRL provides protection for community rugby funding from being the “sinking fund” for the Premiership it became under the PGA for the last eight years.
The Governing Body does face a serious challenge in reconciling the need to help the men’s international team, as the major source of revenue for all of rugby in England, with a fair distribution of central funding, given the control that Premiership clubs have over the contracts of top England-qualified players. A way needs to be found, though, to protect funding for grassroots rugby for the duration of the new agreement.
I disagree with Jeff, however, when he draws a direct link between the cuts to funding for community clubs and the reduction in participation numbers. My own club - and a number of others with First XVs playing in the National Leagues - are still managing to mobilise multiple senior mens’ teams - in our case, five of them.
Having said that, it is a constant struggle to cover the financial costs of maintaining facilities and, in particular good quality pitches for a big club, but we have managed to “make do and mend” especially by working hard to cultivate relationships with dozens of local companies, who sponsor the club, or parts of it.
With huge minis and youth sections, a women’s team and growing girls age grade section as well as a big touch rugby group, our pitches take a hammering for matches and training so it would be fantastic if clubs like ours that are directly boosting playing numbers were able to get some central funding earmarked for this fundamental purpose.
A contribution towards the costs of the Community Rugby Development Officer we employ (currently with the financial support of local sponsors) to visit primary schools to introduce tag rugby and to encourage more secondaries to play the game would also be welcome.
JOHN ALLANSON