NatWest Increases Support Of RugbyForce

RFU head coach Stuart Lancaster has launched this year's NatWest RugbyForce, a nationwide programme developed in partnership with the RFU, which will aim to help nearly half of English community rugby clubs become stronger businesses over the next five years. 

The England Head Coach will act as a NatWest RugbyForce ambassador in England from 2013 onwards, looking to raise the profile of the initiative and encourage community clubs to register to take part. 

NatWest RugbyForce helps local rugby clubs to improve their facilities with the support of volunteers and the community, with a long term goal of making clubs more financially viable businesses. 

Now in its fifth year, 2013 will see an enhanced programme which will enable all registered clubs to receive online guidance and support to help make their NatWest RugbyForce Weekend a great success. In addition, over the next five years up to 50% of clubs will get access to planning workshops and funding to help make improvements to their facilities. 

The NatWest RugbyForce Weekend on 15th & 16th June remains a central part of the initiative, as an opportunity to encourage club members and the local community to come together for a weekend of DIY. 

England Head Coach and a NatWest RugbyForce ambassador Lancaster, said: “Rugby clubs are at the heart of their local communities and we know that they need support to sustain themselves,  not only for the next couple of seasons but also for the years to come. Many England players started their careers at these clubs and NatWest RugbyForce will help clubs to help themselves by giving them a long term vision and enabling them to think like a business to attract and retain members.” 

Paul Dunkin, NatWest Sponsorship Manager said: “Thanks to our enhanced community partnership with the RFU we are proud to launch Natwest RugbyForce with Stuart as its ambassador and announce additional support for the programme which furthers the RFU’s commitment to help clubs become more sustainable. Delivering RugbyForce under NatWest in England also enables us to help support and promote the programme locally through our NatWest branches across the country". 

RugbyForce was created by RBS in 2009, underpinning the RBS 6 Nations sponsorship to demonstrate the bank’s support to the grassroots of the game. The programme is delivered across the four home nations by the relevant RBS Group division which operates in each market (NatWest in England and Wales, RBS in Scotland and Ulster Bank in Ireland). 

The RugbyForce programme forms part of the partnership announced by the RFU and RBS last November, focused on supporting the grassroots game, as part of the RFU’s commitment to strengthen its member clubs.