How Penallta RFC Raised Nearly £18K to Revamp Their Clubhouse

Raised £17,981 from 82 supporters

+£4,500 +Extra funding from Sport Wales: A Place for Sport

Founded in 1952 by local miners, Penallta RFC has grown into one of Wales’ most successful community rugby clubs, now boasting over 300 players across 16 teams, from Mini Miners (ages 3-5) to a recently established walking rugby team. The club has long been a cornerstone of the local community, providing not just sporting opportunities but also hosting various groups such as Slimming World, line dancing, and historical societies.

However, the club’s outdoor rear patio area had deteriorated over the years, limiting its usability for both members and visitors. To address this, Penallta RFC launched a crowdfunding campaign in 2023, aiming to raise funds for crucial improvements, including levelling the patio, adding picnic benches, and upgrading disabled access.

Campaign Objectives

The crowdfunding campaign was launched with the following goals:

• Create a safe, accessible outdoor space for club members and the wider community.
• Level the patio to eliminate hazardous uneven surfaces.
• Install new picnic benches to enhance seating options.
• Upgrade the access ramp to ensure full accessibility for disabled visitors.

A club spokesperson highlighted the urgency of the project, stating, “One of the areas of the club that’s fallen into disrepair over recent years is the outside rear patio area. The space was previously used by club members as a quiet, open space and also by our friends and neighbors at the nearby Trinity Field School. The whole area is in need of a desperate makeover to make it a usable space again.”

Crowdfunding Strategy

Penallta RFC set a target of £15,000 to fund the project. The campaign was promoted through social media and community engagement efforts, and supporters were encouraged to contribute through donations or by purchasing rewards.

The club offered a range of rewards, including:

• General donations starting at £10.
• Sponsorship opportunities, including the chance to sponsor a picnic bench with a personal message or company logo.
• The option to sponsor a senior or youth player for the season.

A club representative explained, “We anticipated the costs would be in the region of £15,000, so we set up a crowdfunding page to get this project over the line. One of the most exciting rewards was the opportunity to sponsor a picnic bench, which helped generate a lot of interest.”

The campaign exceeded expectations, raising a total of £17,981 from a wide base of supporters. The funds enabled the club to:

• Level and resurface the patio area, improving safety and accessibility.
• Install multiple picnic benches for outdoor seating.
• Upgrade the disabled access ramp, ensuring the area is inclusive for all.

“Our objective was to make a single-level, large tarmac patio area with multiple new picnic benches that will be accessible for all new users,” the club noted. “We also aimed to renew the disabled access ramp coming from the rear of the club. Our aim is to make this a space that’s going to be usable for everybody going forward.”

Challenges and Learnings

Maintaining momentum throughout the campaign was a challenge, but the club overcame this by setting smaller goals and engaging supporters through social media.

Additionally, some members were initially skeptical about crowdfunding as a funding strategy. However, the campaign’s success quickly won them over. “Once they saw the money coming in, they automatically then turned a complete 180, and they were on board,” a club representative shared.

Unlocking Additional Funding

Penallta RFC’s crowdfunding campaign received £4,500 form Sport Wales: A Place for Sport toward their goal as part of Crowdfunder’s +Extra funding initiative, which allows organisations to contribute to community initiatives should they meet particular criteria

The well-structured crowdfunding page also helped Penallta RFC secure additional funding sources. The campaign’s visibility and organisation made it easier to apply for grants and sponsorships, further enhancing the club’s financial stability.

Future Plans

The success of this campaign has encouraged Penallta RFC to continue using crowdfunding as part of its long-term strategy. The club plans to build on this achievement by exploring additional facility upgrades and future community initiatives.

Conclusion

Penallta RFC’s crowdfunding campaign successfully raised nearly £18,000, enabling significant improvements to their clubhouse facilities. By leveraging social media, offering engaging rewards, and aligning the project with community needs, the club demonstrated how grassroots organisations can effectively mobilise support for meaningful upgrades.

As the club reflected, “We are fortunate as a club to have a fantastic group of supporters and sponsors, and hopefully with your continued support, we can make this project a reality and raise enough funds to provide a space for generations to come.”

This case study highlights how effective crowdfunding can be for grassroots sports clubs seeking to enhance their facilities and deepen their impact within their communities.