Stamford Rugby Club - Veteran's Team

The Pitch

Problem statement

SRC provides rugby opportunities to the community of Stamford, a small town in rural Lincolnshire. Of our 860 members, just 36 qualify to play in our veteran’s team (5.5%), with our oldest player aged just 55. This does not reflect our local community as Stamford has a significantly higher proportion of older people than the national average (44.2% to 37.6%). SRC must become more inclusive and accessible to older people, ensuring that the benefits of our services are more widely spread across our community. This includes improvements to individual physical and mental health and wellbeing, strengthening intergenerational bonds and promoting togetherness within the Stamford community.

Solution

A 3-part approach, helping SRC to reach 100 older members by 2025. £2,900 will support: Veteran’s Team & Walking Rugby Initiative Investment into coaching, kit, & fixture costs to attract new older players & retain current members. Developing a walking rugby programme to enable our veterans to play for longer & for local people of all ages/abilities to take part and keep active too SREA Dementia Peer Group Charity Partnership Supported by a local charity, SRC will become a dementia-friendly organisation, understanding & supporting community needs. Given the growing link between sports-related head injuries & dementia-related conditions, this is a space SRC is committed to supporting.

Why are we best placed to deliver?

SRC is best placed to deliver this project as we are the only rugby club offering opportunities for older people within 19 miles, thus accessing opportunities at other clubs is not a reality for many local people. Being able to play rugby and engage with others within the heart of our local community, proposes a more encouraging and accessible offering. SRC aims to go beyond simply providing rugby. Our vision is for local people/organisations to perceive SRC as a community hub for all. By working in collaboration with local charities, we better understand the issues faced by our community on and off the pitch and how we can support them.

Focus Areas

Delivery plan

Budget breakdown

Beneficiaries

50 people

Who will benefit

Expected impact

50+ older people will take part in SRC rugby activities at least once per week by March 2023 and 100+ by 2025. Our project will positively impact 3 primary groups: older people, SRC & the wider community. Older People: • New rugby opportunities • Improved physical and mental health and wellbeing • Social opportunities/interaction as the most likely group to experience isolation • Better dementia understanding/support in the local community SRC: • Inclusivity & diversity more reflective of local people • Club expansion, new players • A new walking rugby team • Adult players can play for longer in a sustainable veteran’s programme • Dementia-friendly club • Opportunities for all age ranges & abilities Wider Community: • Inclusive & accessible opportunities for older people, a significant proportion of our community • Young & older local people, united through rugby • SRC as an established community hub • Better understanding & support of dementia and those affected in our area

Track record

On the pitch We field 18 teams & the SRC family includes over 750 members, 650 players & over 100 friends & volunteers. Our 1st XV men’s team is currently 4th in the league & our youth teams are also securing regular wins. Activities go beyond playing rugby & have included club trips to Leicester Tigers games to inspire young players. SRC has several past players now playing Premiership rugby. We have entered our first women’s team in 2022/23 session, making a great start & sitting top of the table. Recruiting female players has also had a positive impact on SRC as a more inclusive & diverse club. Off the pitch We work with local charitable organisations including: • Wild Lodge School • SBD Community Mental Health Team • Inspire, a local SEND charity In doing so, we are learning how we can better support our local community to ensure SRC is an inclusive & accessible hub for all to enjoy/benefit from. Our successes and wider community impact regularly feature in the Rutland & Stamford