Dear club members and supporters
Firstly, can I start by expressing my hope that you and your families are all safe and keeping well, and coping with Lockdown v2.
I have delayed this update as long as I can because, as you are all aware, things have been changing very rapidly recently and I did not want to send anything out that would likely have been amended or contradicted straightaway.
So, where do we stand at the present time?
A little over two weeks ago, the RFU announced their decision to cancel the Adult Competitive Leagues (Level 3 and below for Men, Level 2 and below for Women) for the 2020/21 season. The RFU’s proposal is to look to establish local clusters of clubs who can play against each other once we start to re-introduce contact rugby, as and when the RFU move us to Stage E, on their Return to Rugby pathway (see link below).
Then, following the Prime Minister’s announcement a fortnight last Saturday evening, that there would be a nationwide lockdown as from Thursday 5th November, we have had to follow the guidance and close the clubhouse and facilities again at the rugby club until December 2nd, at the earliest.
All community rugby across England including, sadly, even our Mini/Junior sections, has been returned to Stage A during this period.
I am not going to sugar-coat the following, but the financial impact of the pandemic on the club has been severe, and the Directors continue to meet on a weekly basis, monitoring the situation closely. Difficult decisions have had to be taken and will inevitably continue to have to be made in the future.
Your financial support through continuing to pay your Membership fees, Subscriptions or Donations is even more critical to your club now, than at any time in our long history, so that we can continue to provide rugby for the local community.
If you, or anyone you know, would like to discuss opportunities for further supporting the club through sponsorship or fund-raising then we would be really pleased to speak with you, and you can contact either myself or our Sponsorship manager directly, on commercial@buzzardrugby.co.uk.
One way that all of us can help to support the club, that costs absolutely nothing extra, is to use our ‘easyfundraising.org.uk’ portal. As most of us will have to turn to online shopping this year for our Christmas shopping or, before that, “Black Friday” on 27 November, this would be an ideal way to help out.
www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/lbrfc
Simply start your online shopping using the above link, register with ‘easyfundraising.org.uk’ and then every penny you spend online will result in a donation towards club funds.
At all times since the start of this pandemic, the club’s Directors and Committee members have simply followed and implemented the decisions and guidance made by either the UK Government or the RFU.
Those of you who have already visited the clubhouse or grounds since we were allowed to re-open in July, will have seen the additional safety measures and hygiene precautions now in place, and so we would like to thank all of our members and supporters for following this guidance and the procedures in place and for supporting us in our endeavours.
This latest four week closure is far from ideal and it is a real shame that we have been returned to this position, but the safety of all in our community is the most important factor in all of this.
If there is anything that you feel we could do differently then please do contact me directly and we can discuss how we move forward.
Thank you for taking the time to read through this update and I will of course be in touch again, as soon as there are any changes to the current situation.
In the meantime, please stay safe and look after each other.
Lee Beaumont
Chairman
Leighton Buzzard Rugby Football Club