Wasps
The challenge is to remain as a community rugby club
whilst protecting the asset - basically ensuring that enough
commercial revenue keeps the place running, whilst
providing community rugby and not feeling like a business.
The workforce in community clubs is largely volunteer, and
that can be a challenge. You take everyone’s help - warts and
all - and that’s sportive in itself.
RC: How’s the general mood down at the club at the moment?
RG: Good. After nearly 150 years under the same roof, the
professional team (who many considered to be our 1st XV)
moved to Coventry two years ago. It was sad to see them go,
but amateur and professional aspirations were diverging; it
was time for the original club to get back to its roots and to its
community, and we’re loving it.
RC: How would you say 2018 has gone for the club?
RG: Our ladies premiership team is firing. We have the
best ladies coach in the country and 7 international players.
They are a great team, with great support and it’s pretty cool
for the club. The amateur mens numbers are good but they’re
stronger in the bar than on the park at the moment - so that’s
the next project to fix. We’re a goal-kicker away from being a
very good amateur team!
We have over 40 youth players in Middlesex, Premiership
or England academies, so all is well in youth. Minis get bigger
and bigger every year and we’re particularly proud of our
veterans team who play good rugby and tour in Europe every
summer. Then there’s the Wasps Legends, who’ve finally
stopped playing, but their charity fundraising goes from
strength to strength.
Madame Vacances (and its UK
brands Ski France and Summer
France) has sponsored rugby clubs
in France for decades. Through the
company’s connection with the
chairman of Wasps FC, it is entering
its 10th season of sponsoring
mens and ladies rugby at Wasps.
The ladies elite squad hold their
pre-season high-altitude camps
at one of the company’s Alpine
resorts. Grass-roots rugby is a
force for good; it opens doors
everywhere. Madame Vacances
helps clubs like Wasps FC bring
rugby to everyone.
PROUD SPONSORS OF WASPS FC
READY FOR YOU
FRENCH SKI, BEACH AND GOLF
LOCATIONS FOR RUGBY FANS
www.skifrance.co.uk | www.summerfrance.co.uk
0203 475 4756
www.rugbyclubmag.com
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