Help Beverley RUFC to Survive & Thrive Post COVID

Aim

For over 130 years Beverley RUFC has been enabling the enjoyment of rugby in the community we serve via a group of dedicated volunteers.

About Beverley Rugby Union Football Club and The Future

Since 1886 RUFC has been at the heart of the community in Beverley and surrounding area.  We have seen many players, supporters, friends and family through the club and many current players are second or even third generation, continuing to play here since they were minis, juniors, colts and adult senior rugby

A place where competition and friendship go hand in hand.  We have three senior teams and a fantastic Sunday morning mini, junior, colts and ladies and girls setup, getting kids playing and training from 6-18 years old. The club acts as a ‘hub’ for the local community and is a volunteer led and inclusive community Rugby Club.

The survival of the club is dependent on the support of the members and the community, . The day-by-day clubhouse and grounds upkeep commitments the club has are unceasing, and keeping the club open to support our members, rugby and other community activities is something we are desperate to sustain. 

 How Covid 19 Has negatively Affected the Financial Position of The Club

• Our annual Ladies day had to be cancelled with the club losing over £8000 in  income. The biggest single event income generator in a season.
• Presentation evening, Hypnotist and Christmas lunch cancellations losing around £6000
• Loss of sponsorship of around £5000 from reduced pitch-side boards, 1st team kit sponsor, Matchday programme and match sponsorships.
• Loss of gate receipts £1400
• Loss of representative U15 cup final during April
• Membership subscriptions are down by £7400
• Reduced bar and catering due to cancellation of events such as Wedding Receptions, Christenings, Anniversaries, Birthday Parties, – over the last 9 months £55,000and climbing.
• Mental Health Sessions, Art classes, Salsa and all outside functions had to be cancelled reducing our ability to hire out our facilities.
• Pitch maintenance work including Verti draining, top dressing and feeding using fertiliser was not undertaken this year due to lack of funds.   
• Since lockdown began in March, the club has had to purchase two sets of Rugby posts due to the corrosion of the existing sets excluding the labour to install these the cost is in excess of £6000
• To obtain our electrical certificate we also had to undertake emergency electrical works including replacing the heating,  installing new lighting in the cellar and changing rooms plus a new supply and for kitchen water heater with costs totaling over £5000
• Our Long-term loan facilities with our banks are currently under review and are not guaranteed to be renewed.

What Will the Money Be Going Towards?

The funds raised through this crowdfunding initiative will go towards ensuring the financial sustainability of our club during the COVID-19 crisis; and onwards as we exit this difficult period. 

With the cessation of all sporting activities and the closure of our clubhouse, we have an estimated lost income of over £80,000 (to date) since the start of lockdown.   We urgently need financial support to keep basic services running and to prepare for the gradual re-opening and return to rugby at Beaver Park. This will support such items as:

• Ground maintenance such as verti-draining, seeding, fertilizing, posts etc.
• Emergency remedial works to the drainage on pitch 1 as the area from the clubhouse to the 22 metre line is  waterlogged.
• Essential repairs to the club's infrastructure-heating, electrical safety, plumbing and drainage, decorating etc. 
• Establishing a well-planned re-introduction to rugby and community activities at Beaver park in conformance with Government guidelines. 
• 

But now we really need YOUR support…Due to COVID-19, all activities at the club were suspended.

This not only resulted in the immediate loss of our weekly income from bar revenue at matches and the hire of our facilities, but the pandemic has also taken away 3 of our biggest  fundraising events; Ladies Day, Bestifal,  and our Presentation Awards. 

The income that these events generate for the club each year is essential in keeping the club doors open, and our facilities on offer to all in our community.

Please spread the word!  Make sure that all your family and friends know about this site.  Do not be afraid to share our effort on social media.   Most of all, please contribute no matter how small, all donations will be massively appreciated.

100% of all donations will go to our club, and our club only. And if we raise our target, we are hoping Sport England will provide up to 50% matched funding!

Rewards

The Club and some supporters are kindly providing rewards for donations and pledges, please keep a close eye on the rewards available as we are adding rewards as often as we can.

By giving, pledging, or donating you are helping Beverley RUFC continue to be a hub for rugby and the community in the heart of Beverley, thank you very much.

This project successfully funded on 19th February 2021