Ampthill RUFC Championship Squad Covid19 Expenses

REQUEST FOR HELP!

It has been pointed out to us that it is not Sport England who are responsible for the loans or grants awarded as part of the Sports Winter Survival Package (SWSP).  The SWSP Investment Board are the sole decision makers for grants or loans and we would like to formally apologise to Sport England for any inconvenience caused.  

This still means that the Clubs participation in the Greene King IPA Championship with the season due to start on Saturday 6th March is now in jeopardy because the SWSP Investment Board has rejected our application for a grant for the coming season. 

The Government’s Sports Winter Survival Package (SWSP) Investment Board have offered no grants to Championship Clubs, only loans.   For Ampthill to step up training and participate in the proposed Championship season will cost the Club over £120,000 in PCR COVID test fees alone over the next four months; to date they are being offered no help with these fees. This is simply unrealistic in the current financial climate.

We feel let down and abandoned by the SWSP Investment Board, who refuse to offer grants to rugby clubs despite making grants available to other sports.  In no way do we seek preferential treatment over other elite sports – we just wish to be treated fairly.

Clubs in the Championship have had no source of income since last March, saw their RFU/PRL funding support for the season cut by 75% and will be unable to generate income due to lack of crowds should a 20/21 season go ahead.

The Committee, all our Volunteers, Club Members and Sponsors, have worked incredibly hard over the last 15 years to earn promotion and the right to compete in the Green IPA Championship.  Regrettably, with the actions taken by the SWSP Board, we are potentially not able to take our place for the coming season. 

We would like to thank all members who are continuing to pay their subs and this is an appeal to all Members, Supporters and Sponsors that if any of you can find any way to make a contribution towards the 1st team budget for the coming year to help towards the COVID testing, there is still a chance we can take our place in the competition. 

The circumstances we find ourselves in are not of our making and any contribution of donation any of you can make would be greatly appreciated.  

Please feel free to contact any one of us below for further information.

Chairman - Alex Radley                E: [email redacted]      M: 07739 519791

Treasurer – Bill Warfield                E : [email redacted]     M: 07973 747758

Director of Rugby – Mark Lavery E: [email redacted].uk       M: 07814 936644

Press Officer – Kevin Miller          E: [email redacted]             M: 07870 160494