Six Nations fans urged to support cash-strapped rugby clubs
As Six Nations hopefuls fill stadiums across Europe, rugby fans are being urged to support their community clubs as available grant funding continues to dwindle across the country.
CEO James Moir and the team at easyfundraising are increasingly worried about the state of small and local rugby clubs’ finances amid rising costs and diminished funding.
The Rugby Football Union’s (RFU) 2024/2025 annual report set out concerns that clubs across the country are entering a period of increased pressure amid rising costs and the need to reinvest in equipment, infrastructure and essentials like kits for players.
In summary, the report called for sustainable funding to ensure the community game is protected for generations to come.
To support their call, James and the team are urging fans to do one little-known thing when shopping online to support their local clubs.
James explains: “As the UK’s leading cashback fundraising platform, easyfundraising allows people to secure free donations for a cause of their choice when making online purchases via our platform or app. From refuges to rugby clubs – thousands can be raised at no extra cost.
In short, you can make online purchases via easyfundraising and raise free donations for community rugby clubs in need of support.
According to internal data, easyfundraising currently hosts over 2,000 community clubs on the platform, with supporters having secured over £700,000 in free donations to date – all by changing the way they shop online:
- St Neots RUFC has received over £22,000 in free donations by shoppers changing the way they make online purchases
- Eccles Rugby Club has received over £13,000 from easyfundraising supporters
- The Friends of Newport Rugby Trust has received over £7,900 in free donations
Ensuring these clubs continue to be a force for good in their communities couldn’t be more important. Research conducted by the Sport and Recreation Alliance found that 2 in 3 people believe their local sports clubs play a crucial role in fostering a sense of community in their area, with a similar number concerned that communities would be worse off if those clubs were to disappear.
But as sports grant funding becomes more competitive and the number of available schemes dwindles, James says platforms like easyfundraising are a vital lifeline for many grassroots rugby clubs across the country:
“Sport, and the power of sport, does untold good in our communities. It brings people together, fosters values you can take into everyday life and, of course, keeps people physically active. We need to maintain and treasure these clubs for future generations by protecting grassroots sport, especially in the middle of a costofliving crisis.
“With this in mind, easyfundraising is a perfect tool for clubs looking to bolster their funding, and for those looking to give and support their work in a new way.”
To get involved, just visit their website and find the grassroots cause or rugby club that you’d like to support and sign up to support them for free. Then each time you make a purchase with any retailer from the 8,000 listed on the platform you’ll collect a free donation for the club – it’s that simple.
To find out more about easyfundraising and their vital work, you can visit the website.