Rugby Club Issue 58 | Page 67

bradford on avon coaching. The fun ethos is practiced to the extent that we will place players with the opposition at festivals to make up for shortages. The big challenge for grassroots rugby is its medium and long term sustainability. The issues impacting on this are: • The increased physicality which causes players to think, can they risk not being able to work because of injury • The changing life styles that have reduced leisure time such that volunteers are becoming like hen’s teeth. • The simple fact of being able to balance the books. • The litiginous environment that dictates that clubs need to be incorporated. • The need for supportive income streams other than a bar. And last but not least the imposition of VAT on sport expenses. We are trying to rise to these challenges; We are about to start building an extension with help from the RFF and Sport England that will incorporate Multi Gyms and a large Fitness Area. This will enable continuous conditioning through the winter and reduce the risk of injury. It will also include two more Changing Rooms to cope with the increased demand. The achieving of more volunteers is the intangible issue and needs a culture change. We are trying to tackle this with more communication and social activities. The financial challenges are never ending. Our extension will ultimately allow us to generate more income streams from the Gym, and the incorporation of Club Rooms during Phase 2 will allow more fund raising social events. The RFU have encouraged clubs to become incorporated to protect club members against legal claims. It is a sad reflection on society that this has become necessary, and unfortunately there is the downside of related increased costs. VAT is an unjust imposition. The Government is supposed to be encouraging participation in sport and yet will not make such activity exempt. Voluntarily run grassroots clubs face challenges and we are no different. We face a challenging 5 years in trying to create the facility that will enable enjoyable, fulfilling rugby. 16 Church Street, Bradford on Avon, BA15 1LN 01225 862377 Our private practice is dedicated to preventative dental care. w w w. d ut ch b a rt ond e nt a l . c o. uk [email protected] TruSTed ANd ProfeSSioNAL CAre Preventative Restorative Cosmetic Implants Endodontology The Dutch Barton Dental Practice is pleased to support the Bradford on Avon RUFC and the rugby community as a whole. Dr Simon Fieldhouse, principal of the practice, is a self-confessed “rugby nut” who has spent his time outside the surgery playing and coaching the game. As a sponsor of the Bradford on Avon RUFC youth squad Simon believes that rugby provides an ideal opportunity to get fit and have fun. “I would recommend the game to everyone. Joining a team provides a great opportunity to learn and enjoy the game while making new friends and improving your social life. Just come along and get involved. ” Simon’s day job as the Principal of the Dutch Barton Dental Practice offers friendly, professional dental treatment for all age groups. The private practice, situated in Bradford-on-Avon is dedicated to preventative dental care and works alongside patients to ensure the long term health of teeth and gums. The Dutch Barton team provide a complete range of services from preventative treatment and advice through all aspects of general and cosmetic dentistry. We also provide more complex services including implants and we have a dentist solely dedicated to endodontic or root canal treatment. We are also pleased to announce that we now offer facial aesthetics including Toxin, Dermal Fillers and Skin Rejuvenation treatments. Please contact The Dutch Barton Dental Practice for more details on: 01225 862377 www.dutchbartondental.co.uk [email protected] 16 Church Street, Bradford on Avon, BA15 1LN Simon Fieldhouse B.Sc (Hons), BDS, FDSRCS (England), Specialist in Oral Surgery (GDC no. 68142) The challenges we now face are: • The provision of a Gym, Indoor Training and Storage Area. The former two are necessary in order that we meet our objectives, and the latter is necessary to meet planning requirements. • The provision of more Changing Rooms and Function Rooms. The former is necessary because of the ever increasing numbers and because of the growth in girls’ participation, and the latter to allow more income to sustain the Club. www.boarugby.org Twitter : @boarugby www.sportip.biz 67