The Rugby Club Foundation and the COVID-19 Pandemic
As we all confront the constantly evolving and unprecedented situation that is impacting our entire society, including the sporting world, this important message from the Board of The Rugby Club Foundation is directed not only to the Members of the Foundation, but to the Rugby community in general.
Like all sports, Rugby has been severely impacted by the global shutdown which has forced Rugby Australia and Australia’s State and Territory Member Unions to make some extremely difficult decisions to protect the long-term viability of our game.
The turbulence and uncertainty of the last few weeks has inevitably hit the community level of Rugby extremely hard. Recent announcements from Rugby Australia and the NSW Rugby Union have delivered the news of staff stand downs and pay reductions so these organisations can weather the Coronavirus storm. The Rugby authorities are faced with decisions directed at reducing costs, because once Australia has overcome this crisis, Rugby must be ready to return and bring us all back together on the playing field, on the sidelines and in the grandstands.
In the midst of this crisis, The Rugby Club Foundation continues to be a proudly independent organisation that operates outside the remit of any governing Rugby authorities. Although this is arguably one of the most unprecedented challenges Rugby will face, the Foundation is in a unique position to embrace its standing as an important and resilient guardian of the game.
Over the coming months, our grassroots Rugby community will suffer enormously. Most clubs are unlikely to have generated any substantial revenue during the off-season, yet would have invested heavily in their 2020 season which was due to have commenced by now. Competitions have been suspended and all community Rugby initiatives are on hold. This disruption to revenue streams will leave Rugby clubs and organisations with facing more financial pressures than ever.
Throughout this global crisis, the Foundation will maintain The Rugby Club’s historical connection with and support of grassroots Rugby. More particularly, the Foundation will continue to focus on its primary object of encouraging all levels of grassroots Rugby in NSW and elsewhere at grade, suburban, country, women’s, junior and school levels.
The Foundation’s financial grants program will continue to provide significant support to these levels of Rugby and further announcements regarding our 2020 Grants Recipients will be announced in the coming weeks. The Board has recently approved in excess of $350,000 in funding for programs encompassing all aspects of our game at the grassroots level – from strengthening referee and coach development, to increasing player and official participation and supporting volunteers.
Whilst the COVID-19 pandemic has severely disrupted global financial markets, the Foundation’s investments continue to be prudently managed and the Board anticipates being able to maintain similar levels of funding for grassroots Rugby in the short to medium term on an annual basis.
Although the prospective shape of the 2020 season may not allow us to participate in or watch Rugby in the usual manner, we ask our Foundation members and the larger Rugby community to continue to support our game at the grassroots level. Whether it be through becoming a member of a club, purchasing merchandise, or supporting your club’s sponsors, every bit helps. Your Foundation membership will be especially valued now more than ever.
As heartbreaking as it is to watch our game fight for financial sustainability and navigate an uncertain future, we do know that grassroots Rugby will survive and will eventually be back on the playing field. When that time comes, The Rugby Club Foundation will be pursuing its strategic objective of ‘Sharing the Spirit of the Game’ with a continuing passion and commitment directed at strengthening the grassroots Rugby community.
Given the uncertainty attaching to the length of time government restrictions will be in place to combat the spread of Coronavirus, Rugby Australia and NSW Rugby are not in a position to provide a specific date for the resumption of the game. We are assured that they will continue to review this position as further updates from government and health authorities are received.
This is certainly a challenging time for our game, and there is no doubting that it needs the support of the Foundation, its Members, and all Rugby supporters now more than ever.
The Board of the Foundation supports the Rugby authorities in thanking the Rugby community for its understanding and patience at this difficult time and we encourage everyone to continue following government and health advice.
Yours in Rugby.
The Board of Directors of The Rugby Club Foundation
23 April 2020