Ampthill RUFC launch fundraising effort in a bid to compete in the Championship

Ampthill RUFC say they feel “let down and abandoned” by the Sports Winter Survival Package (SWSP) Investment Board as they face the prospect of being unable to take part in the 2020/21 Greene King IPA Championship season.

The club issued a call to arms of their members, supporters and sponsors at the weekend as they launched a GoFundMe page in a bid to raise enough funds to, at the very least, pay for the Covid testing for the new season, which is set to get under way on Saturday, March 6.

Ampthill revealed they have been turned down for a grant by the SWSP Investment Board and now only loans appear to be available to give clubs the financial backing they need.

And it has left them facing the reality that they may not be able to compete.

“It has been pointed out to us that it is not Sport England who are responsible for the loans or grants awarded as part of the Sports Winter Survival Package (SWSP),” the club said in a statement.

“The SWSP Investment Board are the sole decision makers for grants or loans and we would like to formally apologise to Sport England for any inconvenience caused.

“This still means that the club’s participation in the Greene King IPA Championship, with the season due to start on Saturday, March 6, is now in jeopardy because the SWSP Investment Board has rejected our application for a grant for the coming season.

“The SWSP Investment Board have offered no grants to Championship clubs, only loans.

“For Ampthill to step up training and participate in the proposed Championship season will cost the club over £120,000 in PCR Covid test fees alone over the next four months.

“To date, they are being offered no help with these fees. This is simply unrealistic in the current financial climate.

“We feel let down and abandoned by the SWPS Investment Board, who refuse to offer grants to rugby clubs despite making grants available to other sports. In no way do we seek preferential treatment over other elite sports - we just want to be treated fairly.

“Clubs in the Championship have had no source of income since last March, saw their RFU/PRL funding support for the season cut by 75 per cent and will be unable to generate income due to lack of crowds should a 2020/21 season go ahead.

“The committee, all our volunteers, club members and sponsors have worked incredibly hard over the last 15 years to earn promotion and the right to compete in the Championship. Regrettably, with the actions taken by the SWSP Board, we are potentially not able to take our place for the coming season.

“We would like to thank all members who are continuing to pay their subs and this is an appeal to all members, supporters and sponsors that if any of you can find any way to make a contribution towards the first team budget for the coming year to help towards the Covid testing, there is a chance we can take our place in the competition.

“The circumstances we find ourselves in are not of our own making and any contribution or donation any of you can make would be greatly appreciated.”

Anyone who would like to make a donation, should visit the GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/ampthill-rufc-championship-squad-covid19-expenses