Scottish Rugby awards over £400,000 to clubs in Club Sustainability Funding

This year’s 13 successful applicants will receive investment towards projects via two funding strands – Capital and Revenue – designed to improve club facilities or allow clubs to employ administrators to support with operational needs.

There are nine clubs who will receive over £370,000 via the Capital fund. The clubs will invest their award into projects to develop facilities and improve the quality, capacity and longevity of rugby participation.

One of this year’s award recipients includes Kinross Rugby Club.

The Caledonia Midlands club will be utilising their £50,000 grant to extend their current facilities to accommodate an additional three changing rooms for greater flexibility of genders, age groups and abilities.

The club will also make use of the funding to create greater accessibility to their clubroom with a lift, as well as extend their parking facilities.

Welcoming the support from Scottish Rugby, Calum Love, Acting President for the club said: “The funding support from Scottish Rugby will provide Kinross RFC with rugby sustainability for generations to come.

“The planned developments will create opportunities for growth including new rugby teams which reflect the broader appeal of the game across society, whilst also connecting the wider community by providing safe, secure and inclusive sporting and social facilities.”

The Revenue strand of the CSF provides funding of up to £10,000 for club sustainability projects which will help to increase club revenue through increasing membership, extending community usage of club facilities or increasing involvement of local business and sponsorship.

Garioch was one of four clubs awarded the full £10,000 via the Revenue strand, which they are putting towards recruiting a Business Development Manager.

The Inverurie-based side has seen a steep increase in its player base over the last four years, in particular through its women and youth pathways.

Garioch Rugby Club President, Peter Grant said: “Garioch Rugby Club welcome the support from Scottish Rugby as we continue to grow the club both on and off the field, ensuring that rugby is genuinely for all.

“Receiving funding to support the appointment of a Business Development Manager will strengthen our management to meet the increasing demands of running a growing club, and will ensure that we continue to evolve to meet the needs of all players and members.”

Gavin Scott, Director of Rugby Development said: “We are excited to see the impact the Club Sustainability Fund will have at our clubs in the domestic game. There are some fantastic projects receiving investment including Kinross and Garioch, who are two excellent examples of how our clubs benefit from the funding, enabling them to improve their facilities and really deliver on their community engagement ambitions.”