Banbridge RFC

The Covid-19 virus has had a major impact on all our lives in ways we never could have imagined and we trust that everyone is keeping safe and looking forward to better times ahead. The virus has had a detrimental impact on our club whereby we have now been closed since mid-March with no income. A small sub-committee was set up and has been pursuing the various grant packages announced by the Government. However these applications have all been turned down for the following reasons: Small Business Grant - £10,000 – Not applicable to sports clubs Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant - £25,000 – This required the rateable value to be between £15,000 and £51,000. Unfortunately our rateable value is marginally less than the £15,000 and we did not qualify. Micro Business Grant – As we pay all our staff including casual bar staff through the PAYE system we were turned down due to having too many staff. We were successful in obtaining a small grant from Sport NI for £2,000 and have been able to furlough the regular staff (coaches and club steward). Representation has also been made to our local councillors and MP regarding our situation but to no avail. We have lost our fundraising activities planned for the period including the final two AIL games, annual Friends BBQ, Scarva and the Armed Forces Day. Costs and outgoings over the period have been cut to an absolute minimum with the only expenditure over the summer being the annual maintenance to the pitches as it was considered a false economy not to carry out this essential work. However this complete lack of income has created a cashflow crisis that could not have been foreseen. We are hopeful with the ongoing easing of restrictions that some form of rugby will be possible in the near future and that we will be able to re-open the clubhouse so we can all enjoy the craic again. We are now in need of support as we seek to get back up and running and we are asking for a donation no matter how big or small that will help us through these difficult and unparalleled times. We are conscious that we are asking people who have supported the club for many years through “thick and thin” and indeed looking to people who may have played and enjoyed the benefits of the club but are no longer active within the club. However these are unprecedented times and we are in need of your support. No donation too big or small. Banbridge RFC Executive Committee