A better club for all, led by the Tigers FamilyCrowdfunding

2020 was a difficult year for rugby, with Covid 19 having an impact on grassroots sport across the country.  At Tigers, it was no different as we all eagerly awaited the Government and RFU announcements reducing restrictions…all with the hope of getting a game of rugby in.

With the uncertainty of on-field affairs, the Club pressed on with implementing their long-term strategic plan, and with that reaching out to the membership to understand what they felt the club needed to work on going forwards.  A club survey went out and with over 250 responses it became clear what everyone felt the club needed to look at next.

After a few honest Committee conversations, it was proposed that whilst the clubs’ doors remained closed for the foreseeable future, we could look at improving the main clubhouse – adhering to Covid 19 restrictions a handful of volunteers have already been in the club, stripping flooring back, repairing damaged walls, fixing leaky guttering and generally sorting and tidying up.

The club has already committed to completing electrical and plumbing work as well as plastering and decorating the walls. David Evans has done a wonderful job in getting us a couple of grants which will support the main clubhouse work, with one such grant in particular dedicated to improving disabled access to the Club – both front and back doors to the main room being replaced.
All in all, it is estimated investment by the club to bring the main room up to scratch is around £30,000 and as mentioned before this includes:

• Electrical survey and remedial work
• New lighting around the room
• Plumbing and Heating work
• New doors to improve access via the front and back entrances
• New bar front
• Walls plastered
• Completely redecorated (new calm and fresh theme)

That said Covid 19 and lockdown no 3 continue to hinder our ability to create any meaningful revenue, in particular, the loss to the club of Cheltenham Races being a closed event means we miss out on around £25,000 which we would invest straight back into the clubhouse refurbishments.  We have had many volunteers come forward from all sections of the club, and we fully intend to decorate and complete all the needed repairs to the main clubhouse, it is at this stage though that we ask for the support of all of Tiger Family as we strive to raise £20K to replace the flooring throughout the main room to really add the finishing touches to the new design.

If we successfully manage to raise the money to replace all the flooring and go above our £20, 000 total the club will also commit to investing in a covered viewing area outside, facing the AGP – a must for those cold wet Sunday mornings I feel we may need it!