Bosses need help to keep Worthing Rugby Club firing on all cylinders

Worthing Rugby Club need fans and the community to give them a financial boost as they prepare for life after lockdown.
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The Raiders will again play in the fourth tier of English rugby in the new season – whenever that starts – but will do so after a period of six months or more when the club’s income has vanished.

They have launched a £50,000 fundraising drive to ensure their centenary season is a success.

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Worthing are already set to have to call off a long weekend of events from September 10 to 13 planned to coincide with their founding a century ago.

Worthing Raiders in action shortly before sport was suspended  / Picture: Stephen GoodgerWorthing Raiders in action shortly before sport was suspended  / Picture: Stephen Goodger
Worthing Raiders in action shortly before sport was suspended / Picture: Stephen Goodger

And they have already lost out on income from home matches lost at the end of the 2019-20 season plus a multitude of summer events that would have brought people into the club’s facilities.

Club chairman Brian Vincent stressed that the club was financially stable but said the lockdown was having a serious effect on income that would be needed to support the Raiders in their attempts to survive and prosper at National two south level. They were ninth when the season ended early, making them joint 49th in the English rugby rankings.

Vincent said: “It’s been a very difficult period for us since the club was locked down and all income ceased. The government provided a level of support that meant there was no immediate threat to anything - we were able to furlough some staff - but the biggest issue has been the loss of events. We’d normally have had end-of-season festivals, a hockey festival, own rugby sevens event and everything from wedding receptions to birthday parties in the clubhouse.

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“On the playing side we’ve still no real idea of when we will be able to return to full training or to playing. Normally the league season would start the first week of September but that looks unlikely. If we don’t start until October or November, would the Raiders’league fit in a 30-game season?

“There’s a lot of uncertainty but we still have overheads. We normally spend £10,000 to £12,000 getting our pitches ready and that’s still needed.”

Worthing representatives will be involved in the National Clubs’ Association annual meeting this weekend when details of rugby’s return may become clearer.

But the club are hoping fans, sponsors and the wider community can all play their part in making sure the club comes out of the lockdown in a healthy state.

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Vincent said: “This has been a difficult time for individuals and organisations, not just sports clubs. We realise that, of course, but we hope we can find support in the community.”

How to help

A crowdfunding page launched by Worthing Rugby Club is asking people to mark their centenary with donations.

A joint statement by Bob Reynolds (president) and Brian Vincent (chairman says: “On September 10, the club will have been established for 100 years.

A time to celebrate the club’s achievements over many years and the many friendships established over the years, while members of our Club.

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“In approaching its centenary, the club, along with many other sporting and recreational clubs and organisations, face unprecedented financial challenges, brought about by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Whilst the club benefits from owning its own grounds and facilities, now over 40 years old at The Rugby Park, Roundstone Lane, Angmering, it also has the considerable costs that go with maintaining its 23.5-acre site, employing its staff and supporting its “Rugby for All” policy of more than 20 teams from under fives, for girls and boys and adults, as well as its flagship, Raiders first team, ranked joint 49th in the RFU’s National league structure.

“The impact of Covid-19 and the lockdown enforced from March 23 caused an immediate and damaging impact on the club’s revenues. Whilst government and RFU/Sport England support has assisted, they will not alleviate the full impact of almost six months of lost revenue before the start of our centenary season, assuming we are able to resume in September.

“We therefore need your help to plug this gap and provide the necessary funds and capital to manage losses, sustained by the loss of revenue and need to maintain and improve the Rugby Park, in readiness for our return to rugby and our centenary season and seeing all rugby and commercial activity returning to previous levels.

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“After careful consideration, the club has established and launched its Centenary Appeal Fund. We are asking for a one-off donation of whatever you can afford, although £100 (£1 for each year of the club’s history) will help significantly in achieving our target of £50,000.

“If you are able, please make your donation through our Just Giving page - click here - or payments can be made to our bank account: Payee: Worthing RFC Limited - Sort Code 20-98-74 - Account Number 60313483

“We appreciate that these are difficult times for everyone and sport may not be at the top of your current priorities, but we ask that you consider your club and its role within our local community and its value and benefit, to help sustaining it for the future.

“In anticipation, we thank all those, who are able to provide some form of donation and to each and every one, please stay healthy and safe as we find our way through these difficult times.”