I’m sure you can appreciate the Govt instruction regarding Covid-19 has meant a considerable change at the Rugby Club and I thought I’d update you as to what we are doing to help the club through the current lockdown and with other relevant Club information.

With the Club closed, we have looked to minimise costs, safely isolating the beer lines and returning any unused stock. Without our main source of income we will be looking to access the financial help outlined by the Govt. and what may be applicable to us. The Executive committee will work through the process of obtaining such grants, rebates or salary support that may be applicable.

Regarding playing, the RFU have confirmed an end to the current rugby season and issued final league places last Friday. The main details affecting Walsall are:

We were not promoted or relegated, we finished 5th.
Wolverhampton were promoted.
Burntwood and Shrewsbury were relegated.
Next season Stourbridge Lions and Kidderminster are back down into our league.
Promoted into our league are – Uttoxeter and Saltleians.
Unfortunately we have had to cancel the end of season ball on the 25th April with the current Govt advice unlikely to be lifted.

Hopefully in the coming months the lockdown rules will start to be relaxed and we can commence training in the summer months for all ages and fingers crossed, go ahead with the celebration weekend for the Mini/Junior/Girls sections. We will keep you informed regarding the details of that event plus any others we may have once the club is re-open.

For the pitches the RFU have closed the AGP for any use up to the end of June.

Regarding the grass pitches we have met with our maintenance contractor and they are going to give an outline of discussed work and breakdown of individual prices for us to consider regarding bottom and top pitches. We also discussed the balance of cost against income and the current viability of the work and they are fully aware of the balance that amateur clubs are trying to keep.

Unfortunately again with the latest Govt instruction this is likely to curtail some of the work we were looking to do on the bottom pitch with regard to trail digs where the puddles are.

The seeking of funds for the development of the club and changing rooms, continues and we have initially completed applications for Sport England, the Lottery and Enovert plus the RFU loan. If all responses are favourable, then this provides a mix of funding along with the RFU loan of £420k total which would cover Phases 1 & 2.. All this however, could be significantly impacted / delayed by the effects of the ongoing Coronavirus situation and the decisions of those bodies to which we have applied.

On a positive note we have been granted money for a cycle hub at the Club, which will include storage containers and tarmacking the rest of the area to the side and front of the stand. Hopefully this can be completed over the coming months.

It’s also great to see Zoom, Facebook and WhatsApp being used by members to stay in touch, set challenges, keep fit and have virtual parties.

Take care, look after yourselves and others and I hope to see you in the near future.

Tim Smith