The grassroots partnership between the Welsh Rugby Union and NatWest will this year aim to help clubs attract new members and become more sustainable, with this year’s RugbyForce weekend focussing on rewarding their committed volunteers, attract new ones as well as welcoming the community to the club.
Clubs are being asked to plan a RugbyForce weekend event which will fulfil the above criteria and generate interest in their club.
There are 60 cash prizes of £200 on offer to help with the weekend’s activities, and the top five entries will win a larger, £1000 cash prize and go through to a public vote to win the privilege of having Tom Shanklin on the club’s books as an honorary member for a year. Tom, along with the other ambassadors for the initiative, Will Greenwood and Lewis Moody for English clubs and Alastair Kellock in Scotland, will provide off field advice, attend certain events including the club’s RugbyForce weekend, and bring much needed publicity to the club.
To launch the new incentive Shanklin joined the three other legends to reveal what he is looking for in a club and how he intends to use his playing and business experience from the recycling industry to add his support, with legendary WRU international referee Nigel Owens also making a cameo appearance in the Dragons Den modelled ‘Legends Lair’.
Shanklin said on his new role, “Away from rugby, my life now is all about taking what you’ve got and seeing how to make the most out of it, to explore everything to its fullest potential. Whether it’s volunteers or the club house – appreciate and understand your resources and get all you can out of them. I’ve done that as a player and in business. Now I want to do it for a grassroots club.”
In addition to having Tom Shanklin join as an honorary club member, clubs across Wales have the opportunity to receive funding, and guidance to get their community involved in the NatWest RugbyForce Weekend by registering before 25th April. NatWest RugbyForce registrations are open via wru.co.uk/natwestrugbyforce
