Emergency funding for Melton Rugby Club
Melton Rugby Club has been given funding of more than £5,000 to maintain and improve its pitches after losing ‘significant revenue’ during the Covid-19 restrictions.
The club, which runs teams for about 400 adults and youngsters, has been unable to play since March.
That has resulted in the clubhouse at its Melton Sports Village HQ being closed, leaving the club without a steady income stream to support activities.
But the National Lottery has stepped in with a £5,200 grant as part of a nationwide £20 million emergency aid package to support the sport and physical activity sector cope with the challenges of the pandemic.
The grant will allow Melton RFC to continue with essential pitch maintenance over the summer and provide some additional drainage to improve both the playing and training pitches for the men’s senior, ladies, mini and junior teams.
Phil Green, the club’s chairman, said : “The ending of the season early in March has hit us hard financially as we had to close the clubhouse and lose out on significant revenues as end of season awards, tournaments and other fundraising activities have had to be cancelled.
“We are extremely grateful to Sport England for the award, which will allow us to continue to provide rugby training and playing opportunities in the new season for over 400 adults and children across the community once we get the go ahead from rugby’s governing body, the Rugby Football Union.”