APPENDIX 16
Memorandum submitted by North Walsham
Rugby Football Club
OVERVIEW
At the outset my credentials, I am a member
of the Management Committee of the above club which is based in
Norfolk and plays in National League 2. I am also a Chairman of
the London and South East Division of the National Clubs Association
(NCA) and a member of its National Executive. The NCA represents
42 clubs that play in the three National Leagues, my particular
brief is in the area of National League Sponsorship.
MY CLUB
The club is in its 35th Year which is relatively
young in rugby terms and has an excellent record of achievement
both on and off the pitch. It provides playing, social and coaching
facilities for all ages and both sexes and fields 20 sides from
mini under 7's to National League 1st XV. It includes a veterans
and ladies side. The club is fully amateur with only one part-time
paid official. It owns approximately 26 acres of grounds with
full match flood lights. The club has financed its development
from loans and grants all of which have been repaid in full. The
club has always run on a marginal profit basis, has no bank and/or
trade debts apart from current trading.
NCA
The NCA is a highly pro-active body representing
the 42 clubs throughout the country which still in the main are
traditional rugby clubs. They are virtually all amateur in planning
and administration staff and provide a great service to the community
and indeed like my own club provide much needed sports facilities
and coaching which is no longer available through the education
and schools authorities. The clubs survive through their own financial
resources supplemented with an annual grant from the RFU made
up of sponsorship funds, in this case from Jewsons plc, and revenue
from such income providers as the National Cup competition final,
internationals and television. There has been instances of clubs
attempting to become full/part-time professional, this has had
repercussions for those clubs, for without a benefactor the game
at this level and indeed above does not generate the income required.
SUMMARY
Rugby at club level does not in my opinion generate
the income levels to sustain it as a fully professional sport
in comparison with soccer. I believe it could provide that but
with much lower player incomes than their contemporaries in soccer
if the two codes of rugby were to merge particularly at the very
top level, this would consolidate funding from sponsors and the
media and I would forecast develop longer term into a major European
Competition. I realise my opinions are at variance with many of
the establishment of both codes, but as in life and industry they
must be prepared to change to meet consumer and player needs.
June 1999
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