Help save Streatham-Croydon RFC

As most of you will know Streatham-Croydon RFC is one of the oldest rugby clubs in the world. Despite our legacy, we are sadly facing a multitude of challenges on all fronts, which has culminated in a serious financial situation. Without significant support, we will be forced to close our doors for good.

We are proud to operate in an area of south London not known for its rugby. We’re an inclusive club, offering free Easter and summer holiday camps to hundreds of local children, and provision of pitches free-of-charge for local schools that have no playing fields and a variety of community projects.

Our ambition, inclusion, and grit can be seen across every section of the club we love.

Some highlights from this season:

Men - The men’s 1st XV have had a brilliant season achieving promotion to Counties 3. The men's 2s team continues to grow and looking forward to entering a league next season.

Women - The ladies' 1st XV have finished 2nd in their first season in Championship 2 (tier 3 of women’s rugby in the country). The ladies 2nd XV have made club history and completed their first season in a league with many picking up a ball for the first time in 2023/24.

Juniors - The Junior section is thriving; the u18s Colts are getting off the ground and there is growth across the junior boys, junior girls (soon to play at the Stoop!), and minis sections.

Why we need your help

Like other clubs, the cost of living crisis has hit us hard and our utility bills have skyrocketed. Kit, ground maintenance, coaching training, referee expenses, post-game food - all of this has become an increasing challenge.

But we’ve also had to contend with serious challenges beyond our control.

The cellars are functionally struggling due to outdated equipment. Our coolers are currently broken, which is having a direct impact on our income during one of our busiest periods because we can’t serve beers on tap.

Increasingly wet winters mean we have had to overhaul the pitches to keep us playing throughout the season - a feat not managed by many of the clubs we play against.

When our fuse box that supplied power to the main changing rooms and floodlights set on fire, we dug deep to keep bringing home those wins: we borrowed pitch space from nearby clubs, and even trained in the dark with a handful of car headlights on the pitch. Fixing this cost thousands in unexpected repair costs which had been budgeted for use elsewhere.

Our plans for the future

There are some long-term plans that we hope will keep the club running for future generations including renovations to the collapsed squash courts to a position of revenue generation, hosting more on-site events, and increased player recruitment across all sections of the club to keep the pennies running in.

How you can help

We are in desperate need of a short-term fix and this is where your help is key.

If you are able to donate a small amount - £10, £50, £100 – this will all add up to our target of £20,000 to keep the club running.

Donate today to help us keep rugby accessible to those who need the game the most.