Hull Ionians, Stockport & Pocklington lead the crowd
Three community rugby clubs are at the top of the Crowdfunder sport leader board and others are following the example of the Hull Ionians, Stockport and Pocklington clubs to raise vital funds during the coronavirus pandemic.
Currently, 44 rugby union clubs have been funded by Sport England, collectively raising £689,000 and with £16,000 the average raised by rugby clubs. Add to this a pretty impressive response from the rugby family, whereby for every £1 donated by Sport England, £2.08 is raised from the crowd.
By 1st September Hull Ionians had raised £60,133 in 45 days, on 27th August Stockport had raised £58,146 in 42 days, and on 9th October Yorkshire’s Pocklington had raised £40,056 in 48 days.
Grassroots rugby clubs, who are not for profit organisations, committed to keeping the community physically active, have been using crowdfunding and the Active Together programme to stay afloat.
The Active Together programme, in partnership with Sport England, has been helping sports clubs and community groups run successful crowdfunding campaigns, running a series of free online workshops to show how crowdfunding can be an effective way to raise funds.
Eligible organisations could also receive grant funding of up to £10,000 when they crowdfund from funders including Sport England and Local Authorities across the country. Funding is available for: organisations experiencing short-term financial hardship or the ceasing of operations due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis and those undertaking a capital build or refurbishment project.
Smashing targets
Hull Ionians’ summer sports and fun days, as well as social events and functions, such as weddings, festivals and parties, have been vital to raise funds over previous summer months. They had lost £160,000 of income from cancelled bookings when they launched their Crowdfunding appeal.
“We hope that our community of players, members, supporters and friends can rally together and lift the club out of its current financial uncertainty by helping to raise the ambitious sum of £10,000 within six weeks. Let’s show what a great sporting community Hull Ionians is and help the club through this difficult time,” they said on their appeal.
They certainly did that, overtaking their target by more than 600%.
Stockport RFC lost weekly income from bar revenue at matches and the hire of facilities, while the pandemic also took away three of their biggest summer fundraising events: the Bramhall Beer and Food Festival, Smash Hits 80s on the Pitch and their annual club ball.
The income these events generate keeps the club doors open, and facilities on offer to all in their community. It also supplements maintenance projects to keep the club in good working order, and enables them to focus on some large improvement projects each season.
Pocklington RUFC provides a base for people of all ages to help their physical and mental wellbeing. The rugby club also provides a home for Pocklington Runners, Pocklington Ladies Hockey and the charity, Pocklington Rugby in the Community a real community hub used to send out food parcels to those locked down and in need of support, in conjunction with the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, the Covid 19 Groups and The People’s Pantry. Having lost income from events like their sevens tournament, all of the facilities still needed to be fully paid for and maintained.
Their appeal said: “This project is to raise funds in order for the club to keep the momentum going to provide a centre to help everyone in the community. It is not purely a rugby club. The club, its charitable arm and associated users, help to make people’s lives better, no matter what their background may be.”
Dave Stubley RFU National Club Development Manager added: “Lots of rugby clubs are struggling and are very much needed by their communities and they have been really inventive in raising funds through the pandemic.
“One of the most successful ways has been through the Sport England Active Together Crowdfunding scheme, with rugby currently top of the Crowdfunder sport leader board in funds raised. We are very lucky to have this Sport England initiative and I’m glad to see so many clubs benefitting for the good of their communities.”
