Stockport Rugby Club "Kick back at Covid" Campaign

Aim: The COVID-19 pandemic has put a stop to Rugby and all social events at our club that ordinarily would provide income for the clubs projects.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has created a very uncertain landscape for grassroots sports clubs which is going to make it very challenging for them to survive - and like many others, Stockport Rugby Club has suffered greatly during this on-going situation. 

With our usual revenue streams negatively affected, we are reaching out for your support to help us move forward with 3 capital projects - all of which will help us continue to thrive, grow, and work with and for our members and the wider community we serve.

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Who we are – and what we do…

The club was formed as Davenport RUFC in 1923, and was relocated in 1962 to our home at Headlands Rd, and then renamed in 1996 as Stockport RUFC. 

We have fantastic grounds, which allow us to run a wide programme of activities for all ages and abilities, as well as hosting large fundraising events, which attract thousands of people to the club.

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We foster a strong ethos of respect amongst our members, and this forms an important part of the activities we do and the people and organisations we work with.

In 1997, our then President Kay Weeks pioneered special needs rugby, which is an integral part of our programme today. The SLD All Stars gives individuals with mobility and severe learning difficulties a chance to take part in sport. 

The All Stars Team is now also affiliated with the Sale Sharks Community, so the group benefit from the Sale coaching staff, as well as interacting with our own SRUFC players. 

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“Stockport is a fantastic all encompassing rugby club with a wonderful committee, who strive to make the club the best it can be for its members and the community. The club is always willing to listen, adapt and improve and they have been at the forefront of developing special needs and women’s rugby teams in Cheshire”.

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We have a thriving Mini & Junior section (age 4-18), 3 Senior teams, and recent years have seen the inclusion and steady growth of our Girls teams (Age 11+), Stockport Scarlets (women’s team), the Stormers (rugby veterans), Walking Rugby and Touch Rugby (male and female 14+). 

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The teams are inclusive of all skill sets and age grades – actively encouraging non-members to join us, welcoming people into the club to enjoy our facilities, and our social and fundraising events.

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Many of our players have been selected for Academy placements – with past members Tom Cruse now playing at London Wasps and Tom Curtis at Sale Sharks. 

We are also very proud of the work we have been doing within the community with local schools, via the CBRE All Schools Programme, who’s aim is to promote rugby values, and increase the amount of rugby in Britain’s schools.

The club looks to cater for all and create a vibrant community that will fit into the wider Stockport RUFC Family.

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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 summer fundraising events:- the Bramhall Beer and Food Festival, Smash Hits 80's on the Pitch and our annual club ball. 

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.

It also supplements our maintenance projects to keep our club in good working order, and enables us to focus on 2-3 large improvement projects each season.

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Our goal…

We had 3 major projects planned for 2020:-

1. Renovation of the Ladies Toilets 

With a growing female rugby section and a busy hire and function calendar, a complete overhaul of the ladies toilets is required to make them fit for purpose.

This vital work was planned with funds raised from our summer events had they gone ahead. The facilities do not meet our current needs, and this much needed update of the infrastructure is fundamental to the credibility of the club as a venue for hire, as well as dealing with the increased traffic by the female members and visiting teams.

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2. Renovation of the Men's Toilets

Our men's toilets have more plumbing problems than a sinking ship!  

We had planned to renovate the men's toilets and strip them out to include new plumbing, cubicles and urinals, to provide a cleaner and safer environment for our members and visitors. 

These major adaptations would also include disabled facilities, and also provide a suitable environment for the safeguarding of the wide age-range using these toilets.

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3. Renovation and Extension to the outside bar area 

We identified the key to increase the club's ongoing revenue stream long term, would be to sell more food and drink pitchside on weekends and at events. 

It was planned to renovate the broken and non-functioning existing outside bar area, and create a new server area for food and hot drinks to be sold from. 

This new facility would also provide a safe outdoor social setting where club members and supporters can gather, as well as having potential for hire. 

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As these projects can no longer proceed due to all our events being cancelled, through this page we are now aiming to achieve what we would have achieved, if the pandemic had not hit.

Please help us Return to Rugby…

We are looking to raise £20,000 from our members and supporters - which along with the match funding we are applying for from Sport England, this will enable us to complete the projects in time for the planned return to Rugby in the Autumn.

COVID-19 has affected the club and in turn, affected all our members and supporters in some way - the sport, fun, fitness and social side is being missed by all associated with the club.

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We therefore ask you to please, PLEASE give generously to continue the progression of Stockport RUFC now and in the future.

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