Support Ponteland RFC Through Covid

Aim

This project aims to financially support Ponteland Rugby Club, allowing us to continue our work in the provision of life skills and sport.

Ponteland Rugby Club - who we are

Ponteland rugby club was formed in 1967 as a local community club, gaining the reputation of being a “small club with big ideas”. 

Throughout its 54 years, Ponteland RFC has prided itself on inclusivity from all social backgrounds teaching hundreds of youngsters to play rugby and develop social skills. 

Alongside this we have ran three senior teams as well as age groups ranging from six to eighteen years and a newly formed women’s team. However, Ponteland rugby is one of only three clubs in Northumberland that actively employs an apprentice to help coach rugby in the local schools, developing social inclusion and physical and mental wellbeing.

The effects of Covid-19 and why we NEED your support

Ponteland Rugby Club are unique as they do not have their own clubhouse and are dependent on the use of the local authority sports centre. These funds are critical in the hiring of these facilities which is proven critical as a corresponding rent increase of 300% since the opening of the new facility.  

The COVID-19 Pandemic has wiped out a whole year’s worth of fundraising and to compound matters which has caused concern for the club as they wish to continue to provide opportunities for those all ages and genders to partake in rugby. 

Speaking with parents and fellow coaches revealed that the lack of rugby has made an impact on the development and retention of junior players’ social inclusion and physical and mental health.

Due lockdowns and restrictions the club was forced to make many upsetting cancelations in events such as the Christmas Club Dinner, End of Season Celebrations and most significantly the Ponteland Beer Festival. 

An additional major event that was interrupted due to Covid-19 was the Annual Golf Day Classic which again, is one of many events which are a key fundraising events for both the rugby club and the community.

Events like these are family-oriented and provide great fun for all those involved. Missing all these key fundraising events throughout the year has had a negative effect as lack of major fundraising has caused concern as we fear these events may not be able to continue.

How will we spend the money raised?

1)    First and foremost, it will help keep the club afloat! 

2)    We need to be able to provide additional equipment and adapt equipment we do have for use at the newly developed sports centre.

3)    We need funding to hire the all-weather training facilities as Covid 19 has delayed the development of two of the new training pitches by at least twelve months.

Any donations received will be used to undertake the above, so please donate if you can and pass on to friends, families, friends and colleagues to help spread the word.

The impact the club has had on the local community

Ponteland rugby club is one of the largest community groups in the village. As well as providing sport for hundreds of children and adults, the club is embedded in the social life of the area. The club runs the largest village community event - the Ponteland Beer Festival along with the historic annual wheelbarrow race - a New Year’s Day tradition believed to hark back to the 14th century which raises large amounts of money for local causes. Annually, the club identifies good causes linked to the residents and locations around the village and provides donations as well as donating to local food banks. Recently the players raised money for mental health charities with a 24-hour run. 

In order to keep this village club alive and provide sport and life skills to future generations, please give generously to our Crowdfunding appeal. 

This project successfully funded on 6th April 2021