Burry Port Chairman Jonathan Davies, worked with the WRU Club Operations team to put together a very simple proposal which was given the green light by a funding panel. The WRU Recruitment Grant was used to fund the purchase of a physiotherapist bed whilst the club invested in other items such as a heat lamp to support the volunteers and the players they treat.
“It was a tentative inquiry to Claire Thomas, one of the WRU Club Operations team which led to the creation of a successful application,” commented Head of WRU Group Compliance, Julie Paterson. “This is a great example of where a club had an idea and we supported them to turn it in to a working project.”
Central to this project was the intent of Burry Port to support an existing volunteer as well as the added advantage that the club were training up additional volunteers. The sport masseuse who commits weekly time to the club is in the process of supporting a young volunteer to gain similar skills through practical learning. This learning element was key to the success of the Burry Port application and a concept the WRU is keen to promote.
“As a club we consider ourselves fortunate to have a local volunteer who has sports massage skills and is willing to attend the club for training and matches to support the players,” commented Davies, who led the application for the club.
“When we initially spoke to the WRU Club Operations team we had an outline idea of what we wanted to support and retain this volunteer as well as secure the involvement of the younger volunteer. The whole process was quick and easy once we had the firm idea. The WRU Club Operations team were clear in what would make a successful application so as a club we had confidence in our application.”
Julie Paterson, added: “We want clubs to access this grant and so we have purposely kept the process simple. The Club Operations team will support clubs where possible with these funding applications.”
The WRU Recruitment grant was set up by the WRU to support clubs in volunteer training and recruitment initiatives. This has ranged from providing Emergency Aid course and equipment to funding educational courses for volunteers.
Any club interested in accessing the WRU Recruitment Fund should contact Claire Thomas, Club Operations Advisor – Volunteer Support & Recruitment cthomas@wru.co.uk / 029 20 822438
