Eastern Counties Rugby Union

Please find information below on NatWest RugbyForce 2016.
Registration is now open online at: www.EnglandRugby.com/NatWestRugbyForce

This is the fourth year of the nationwide initiative that invites clubs to be a part of something special with England Rugby and NatWest. Over 620 clubs used the 2015 programme to seize the opportunity of the Rugby World Cup to attract new people into their clubs.

This year’s programme will help clubs to maintain their on and off field facilities, continue to help reduce expenditure, drive revenue and develop marketing activity in order to convert the casual visitors during the Rugby World Cup into players, volunteers and club members.

As well as new planning and sustainability workshops for 200 clubs, NatWest RugbyForce 2016 will also provide clubs with additional value by offering pitch maintenance sessions with the RFU’s Head Groundsman, Keith Kent. Keith will visit up to 48 rugby clubs up and down the country to give expert advice and tips on how to improve pitches and provide a programme for works for the NatWest RugbyForce weekend.

What is NatWest RugbyForce 2016?

• NatWest RugbyForce works closely with grassroots clubs up and down the country to help them attract new members and become stronger and more sustainable for the future.

• The annual NatWest RugbyForce Weekend will take place on 25th and 26th June 2016.

• The closing date to be considered for one of the project planning and sustainability workshops, the financial support and pitch maintenance packages is 14th February 2016.

The rewards for registering by 14th February 2016 include:

• Support packages of £500 awarded to 200 clubs who are selected to attend one of the NatWest RugbyForce workshops.
• Each club that attends a workshop will receive a ‘sustainability box’
• 48 pitch maintenance packages to include a visit from the RFU Head Groundsman Keith Kent to help devise a pitch maintenance schedule for the weekend.
• Support packages of £2,000 to help put Keith’s report into practice over the weekend.
• The chance to win an England Rugby legend to join your NatWest RugbyForce weekend in June.
• Crowd Funding pilot to be developed with 12 clubs this year in conjunction with ‘Sponsorise.Me’
• The opportunity to apply for additional finding later on in the programme.
How to register for NatWest RugbyForce 2016

• Registration for NatWest RugbyForce 2016 will open on 1st December 2015 and closes on 22nd June 2016. To register your club, simply click on the link www.EnglandRugby.com/NatWestRugbyForce complete and submit the form.

NatWest RugbyForce 2016 is not just for club members…

• Those willing to offer their support to their local club, even if they are not a member, can go to www.findrugby.com to locate their nearest club and get involved.