Falkirk to benefit from Scottish Rugby 'Club Hardship Fund'

Set up in March of this year in immediate response to the threat posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the CHF was designed to help with club running costs between then and July, a period during which no rugby was expected to be played and no income earned.

In the Caledonia Midlands region, a total of 19 clubs including Falkirk will benefit from CHF money to the tune of £108,314.

Almost £400,000 has been allocated from an initial fund of £500,000 with the remaining money ring-fenced for supporting other projects around the club game in the near future.

Candidates were able to apply for up to £5,000 of funding, with higher claims considered in exceptional circumstances.

Clubs could apply for financial assistance across four categories: People, Premises, Utilities and Grounds, with each of Scottish Rugby’s five regions represented in subsequent successful CHF applications: East (30 clubs), Caledonia Midlands (19), Glasgow North (16), Glasgow South (9) and Caledonia North (8).

“I am pleased that each applicant club will receive direct financial assistance to help where they need it most so that when rugby does resume, they are well placed to become community hubs once more.”

Scottish Rugby’s Director of Rugby Development, Sheila Begbie, said: “We wanted to give clubs some financial support due to the lockdown and premature end of the season and the level of response from across the club game has been really encouraging.

“We have awarded a significant amount of money from the initial £500,000 fund and will issue the money at the end of this month, with the remainder earmarked for further investment in the club game.”