News & EventsLatest NewsCalendar
Club’s in the Community – Everyone can be a Winner

Club’s in the Community – Everyone can be a Winner

Ian Thurloway12 Jan 2015 - 11:41
Share via
FacebookTwitter
https://www.crawleyrfc.com/new

Crawley RFC has been running initiatives which are really starting to bear fruit and show how rugby clubs can benefit themselves and the community

Crawley RFC has been running initiatives which are really starting to bear fruit and show how rugby clubs can benefit themselves and the community at large around them.

Mark Rodwell has been an active member of the Crawley club for nearly 15 years. First supporting his younger son as he grew through the mini’s, to youth, to now holding down a regular position within the senior playing squads. As we know so many clubs rely on volunteers to fill committee roles and it wasn’t long before Mark was voted in as Youth Treasurer and moved on to become Bar Chairman.
Mark’s older son has learning difficulties. It occurred to Mark that when people with learning difficulties turn 18, support in the wider community is far harder to locate. With the encouragement from the Club Chairman, Crawley RFC began hosting regular Sunday social events for adults with learning difficulties. These were for a couple of hours, later in the afternoon once all the games had concluded, every few weeks.

To start with the events were using what the club had available, turning the pool tables and juke box onto free play, playing cards, darts etc. As time moved on the club purchased more games – including larger board games, a table tennis table and other equipment. Last year the RFU heard what they were doing and providing some very welcome funding to help with the initiative with the ask to create a model that could be mirrored in other locations.
Membership throughout the period has been steady with the group attracting up to 18 or so regular attendees. Over the warmer and dryer months members have been encouraged to get out on the pitch and partake in passing and kicking practise which has been rewarding for the attendees as well as some of the helpers from the senior club set up.

Members of the club have been brilliant in giving their time to help support activities and ease newcomers into the events. Organisations such as the Aldingbourne Trust, and Crawley Borough Council have also helped provide resources and help to make it the success it has become.

Over the past year the club agreed to expand the initiative to employ 3 of the regular attendees as “Pitch Set Up Marshals” for the senior’s fixtures on a Saturday. Their duties include not only dressing the pitch, but manning the scoreboard during the game, putting out sponsorship boards, clearing litter before and after the game and returning glasses to the bar.

Caroline Burton from the Aldingbourne Trust reports “ Mark and the Club have made a wonderful contribution to improving the local community’s inclusion of people with learning difficulties. They really take action; not just talk about doing so. The social events are great, but what has been really awe inspiring is their job creation. People say they would like the world to be a better place but the club have actively made it so for three adults. Giving them a first step into the world of work is a wonderful message that they are valued and can contribute to the life of the club. The Aldingbourne Trust operates over the whole of West Sussex, and I would be very glad to hear from any Club who would like to introduce Pitch Set Up Marshalls. They are welcome to call me for an informal chat on 07584 632 591. The service we provide is free of charge and funded by West Sussex County Council.

Mark Rodwell reports ‘One very surprising impact this had is that over time the interaction between the club senior players and pitch marshals can be seen to benefit both groups. It is really working in helping these young men grow in confidence as like all of us they need social interaction and where better can you get this than at a busy rugby club on match days?’ He also added ‘for those we employ this is really proving to be a stepping stone to bigger things – the opportunities we are offering do make a true difference to them and giving them a greater chance of success in the wider world at large.’ Their Support worker has given many examples of positive developments from their increased confidence over the months; not least of all how much happier they are.

The club has enjoyed a number of benefits from this initiative. In particular ensuring the club facilities are used to maximum effect and giving existing club members an opportunity to be involved in something broader than club rugby. It can also now demonstrate to sponsors and other bodies that it is at the heart of the community. This is very important when attempting to secure grants and financial support; something Crawley is very active in. Being involved in these types of activities can only help in pursuit of those limited resources. Finally throughout all these endeavours rugby core values of teamwork; respect; enjoyment; discipline and sportsmanship are all being utilised. We are a stronger, more unified and effective club as a result.

If you would like to know more about the Social events and Pitch Set Up Marshall roles, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Mark (tel 07970 935227 ).

Further reading