Scottish Rugby Union To Support Clubs Through Club Hardship Fund

Scottish Rugby has announced details of the recipients of its Club Hardship Fund (CHF) with each of the 82 applicant clubs across the country set to benefit from the financial support initiative, including several clubs from across our region, Dumfries Saints, Wigtown RFC and Langholm RFC. 

Set up in March of this year in immediate response to the threat posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the CHF was designed to help with club running costs between then and July, a period during which no rugby was expected to be played and no income earned.

Almost £400,000 has been allocated from an initial fund of £500,000 with the remaining money ring-fenced for supporting other projects around the club game in the near future.

Candidates were able to apply for up to £5,000 of funding, with higher claims considered in exceptional circumstances.

Clubs could apply for financial assistance across four categories: People, Premises, Utilities and Grounds, with each of Scottish Rugby’s five regions represented in subsequent successful CHF applications: East (30 clubs), Caledonia Midlands (19), Glasgow North (16), Glasgow South (9) and Caledonia North (8).

Scottish Rugby Chief Executive, Mark Dodson, said: “We launched the Club Hardship Fund in order to offer support to clubs at what has proved to be an extremely challenging time for those involved in the sport at community level.

“I am pleased that each applicant club will receive direct financial assistance to help where they need it most so that when rugby does resume, they are well placed to become community hubs once more.”

Scottish Rugby’s Director of Rugby Development, Sheila Begbie said: “We wanted to give clubs some financial support due to the lockdown and premature end of the season and the level of response from across the club game has been really encouraging.

“We have awarded a significant amount of money from the initial £500,000 fund and will issue the money at the end of this month, with the remainder earmarked for further investment in the club game.”

The CHF recipient clubs welcomed news of the financial assistance with Graeme Burgess, Finance Director at Melrose Rugby saying: “Just a quick note of thanks on the Club Hardship Fund and our award. This scheme, along with support from government and other bodies, have helped to ensure that we are able to see out the most financially challenging period in the club’s history.”

Gary McPhail, Vice President at Alloa RFC said: “On behalf of Alloa RFC I would like to pass on our sincere gratitude for this award which will ensure that our pitches will be ready for the new season, whenever that may occur.”

All clubs have now been contacted about their respective awards and the funds will be allocated in the coming weeks.

Full list of Club Hardship Fund recipients: