North-east clubs supported by Scottish Rugby funding
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North-east rugby clubs have benefited from Scottish Rugby's first phase of Growth and Participation funding.
Grants totalling £930,000 have been awarded to 95 clubs across the country.
The Growth and Participation fund, established from the £6.5 million Scottish Government funding during the Covid pandemic, was split into two streams with £500,000 allocated to each: Major Capital Investment and Growing the Game.
North-east clubs that have received funding are:
- Banff RFC - £2000
- Ellon RFC - £5000
- Fraserburgh RFC - £5000
- Garioch RFC - £7000
- Moray RFC - £5000
- Peterhead RFC - £5000
The Major Capital Investment strand is designed to support clubs with developments to their physical infrastructure including the purchase, upgrade or construction of an asset.
Two clubs will be in receipt of £250,000 of the Major Capital Investment fund.
Falkirk Rugby Club are the first set to benefit from this support, utilising the grant to transform their pavilion’s changing facilities.
A second grant of £250,000 has been awarded in principle to a club in the Glasgow North region, details of which will be released in due course.
Under the Growing the Game strand of the fund, more than £314,000 was awarded to support growth and development of the community game, with a focus on inclusion and diversity.
The remainder of the funding from the Growing the Game fund was realigned to the Club Sustainability Fund under the sub-category of Fast Track, providing funding of up to £2000 for club maintenance or improvement projects.
The Fast Track fund saw more than £116,000 awarded to 63 different clubs.
With just more than £68,000 of funding left unclaimed from the £1 million government funding in phase one, this will be rolled into phase two.
Teams were invited to apply for phase two funding via club communications on Tuesday, October 18. The fund will remain open for clubs to apply to until Friday, November 25.
Director of rugby development Gav Scott said: “I am delighted to share the outcome of the Growth and Participation fund as previously outlined in July last year.
"This vital stream of Government funding has empowered our clubs to make a real difference to their facilities and programme delivery, especially in the wake of the pandemic.
“I’d like to once again extend my thanks on behalf of Scottish Rugby to the Sports Minister Maree Todd, the First Minister and colleagues across Government for their financial and operational support, ensuring the community game could get back up and running in a safe and enjoyable manner whilst also enabling a significant level of new investment to improve facilities and attract and retain players and participants across the game.”
Sports Minister Maree Todd said: “I am delighted that the funding provided to Scottish Rugby has been put to such good use – supporting clubs and the communities they serve.
“We know the importance of being physically active to improve our physical and mental health and I am encouraged that the funding will be used to advance diversity and inclusion, as well as making facilities across the country more welcoming and accessible.
“I would like to thank clubs for the fantastic work they do and hope the continued support allows them to grow and develop moving forward."
