Rugby clubs are working hard to stand still

Normally at this time of the year rugby pitches around Meath are busy places at the weekends.

However, the latest lockdown has ensured they have fallen silent. Yet clubs have to keep the show on the road, pay expenses, keep the lights on.

This week the Meath Chronicle takes a look at how two clubs - Ashbourne and North Meath - are battling to keep it all together in the current, strange, circumstances.

ASHBOURNE RFC

Ashbourne club stalwart Bill Duggan has been greatly encouraged in this lockdown by the way the club's members have stayed loyal to the club. They have continued to pay membership fees even though there are no games or even training taking place.

"Our membership has remained very strong and I know some clubs did very well in terms of members continuing to pay their fees," he said.

"Our sponsors are the same and that's crucial, we're very grateful to them all," he added.

No rugby, however, doesn't mean there are no bills to pay.

"We still have to maintain our buildings, pay our insurance. The insurance premiums might be down, but there is still a significant cost there. You still have to maintain the clubhouse and the grounds as well."

Duggan, who is also the Leinster junior secretary and one of the honorary members of the Branch, says that the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has been supportive to clubs.

"In fairness to the IRFU and the Government, there is money filtering through, helping clubs pay electricity bills, cut the grass, keep them going.

"The IRFU has kept development officers working online with coaches, engaging with players."

He points to initiatives such as the IRFU's 'One Club, One Country' draw which allows clubs to sell tickets and keep the revenue generated.

Other grants from bodies such as Sport Ireland have proved invaluable.

"The IRFU has invested a lot of time and effort in helping clubs, helping them apply for grants and so on."

Some might point at the large sums of money going to the professional game and feel a percentage of that could be diverted to the club scene.

Duggan, however, feels the pro game offers a vital service to the sport - and society.

"The professional teams give us something to look forward to every week, something to watch, something positive."

What does concern Duggan is the possibility of "a lost generation" of young players who might be lost to sport.

"If you look at sport in general, not just rugby, those young players who are about to make the transition to adult stage, many of those young people may not now step into adult sport. You hope to God they will but you would be worried about their mental health as well because sport is where they can find expression, can be fulfilled."

The Ashbourne RFC stalwart is looking forward to the day when action on the pitches resume.

"We're all looking for a pathway back but that's in the hands of Covid."

NORTH MEATH

Finances, at no matter what level, are vital to every club. The Secretary and PRO of North Meath RFC, Nicholas Pratt, says these are difficult days for clubs, but there have been some savings.

"We have our running costs in rent and electricity and so on, but we've managed to save money on insurance and IRFU fees just because we've not had as many matches."

"We have lost money because we don't have access to tickets for international games, that was always a great source of income for us, firstly because having tickets is a great incentive for membership.

"We don't tend to have enormous fundraisers because we feel we ask enough from our members already.

"Financially we have managed to stay stable mostly because our members have stood by us, they continue to pay membership even though the rugby has been very disjointed.

"Our sponsors too have stood by us which is so important, that's the key, without them we might have been in trouble," he added.

Pratt outlined how sponsors such as Park Ri, Martin Lydon (LMC Engineering), Dave Dillane (Dolmen Insurance Brokers) and local pubs such as The Westway and Kiernans have stayed strong and loyal.

North Meath play out of Leinster League Div 3 and they have long-term leases on pitches at The Grange.

They have ambitions to upgrade their facilities, once normality returns but there is a need for caution too.

"We are keen not to overstretch ourselves, we are looking at realistic investments that will benefit the club without getting into debt."

They have ambitions to get back to Div 2 and with that in mind they appointed Simon Deevy as head coach. The club fields senior men's and ladies sides, as well as at various under-age levels for boys and girls. The club has been helped along with way by grant aid.

"We received a Sports Capital grant last year and we're applying for one this year so we're hopeful we can get that.

"We've got assistance also from the Leinster Branch and the IRFU in terms of a moratorium on fees, but the real substantial benefit for us has come from members."

"We try to keep everyone involved. I'm hopeful when things return to normal there will be a great appetite for players to get out and get active," he concluded.