Heath RFC looks to clusters to get competitive senior rugby back on track

A Ready4Rugby non-contact fixture against Horsham in October provided the first opportunity to take to the pitch against local opposition since early March, but similar encounters had to be cancelled when the second lockdown was implemented and all grassroots sport was cancelled.

With the UK government now confirming grassroots sport can return after 2 December, Heath is hopeful that the plans developed to instigate ‘local cluster’ fixtures, and help facilitate a return to contact rugby matchplay, will be able to start early in the new year.

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The cluster concept is based around providing Clubs with structured local competitive fixtures while minimising travel times and it has already been provisionally agreed that Heath will be in a cluster with Horsham, Chichester, Guildford, Havant and Brighton, hopefully playing matches both home and away.

The Club is closely following these discussions, still in their infancy, as they unfold at the RFU and will publish more information as soon as it becomes available, hoping to invite spectators as well as players to return to competitive rugby early in 2021.

Extra funding for sport may not reach grassroots clubs: The UK government last week annouced extra funding for certain sports directly impacted by Covid-19.

The £300m fund includes £135m for rugby union which will be broken down between Rugby Football Union: £44m, Premiership Rugby clubs: £59m, Championship Rugby clubs: £9m and Rugby clubs below Championship: £23m.

As a community club, HHRFC hopes to have the opportunity to benefit from this new source of funding, although it is likely to be in the form of interest-free loans and may not provide the desired remedy for the Club’s day to day operation given the impact experienced so far this year.

Commenting on these latest developments, Mark Newey, HHRFC Chairman says: “While delighted that this new government funding recognises the needs of grassroots sport in general and rugby in particular, we are keen to understand exactly how the RFU will be allocating funds given the large number of rugby clubs in need across the many Premiership, Championship and grassroots community clubs like ours.

"With limited income-generating activities in sight for the Club this is certainly going to be a challenging season and we will need all the help and support we can get.

“We really want to get local competitive ‘cluster’ fixtures live for our senior teams - hopefully early in the new year.

“And it’s vitally important for the health and wellbeing of our 450+ youth members in Mid Sussex that rugby training returns as soon as possible using the strict Covid-safe protocols we have had in place since July.”

With the government announcing the return of grassroots sport in all tiers from 2 December, the Club is hopeful that the planning that has been taking place behind the scenes throughout lockdown will mean that when rugby does return there will be extra opportunities over the coming months for all to safely play as much rugby as possible this season.

Meanwhile efforts to raise the full funding target needed to build a new Clubhouse at Whitemans Green continue apace with a realistic desire to start building during the first half of 2021.

The Club is currently focused on accessing as many different sources of funding as possible to fill any funding gaps that remain and ensure the opportunity offered by the Club’s Main Sponsor Fairfax is activated.

The Club’s ongoing efforts have not been stopped by Covid-19 and the aim remains to deliver a much-needed community resource in Mid Sussex that will be fit for purpose and enhance the delivery of many different education, sport and social activities for all ages.

Youth Academy set for final playoffs: The Under 16s and Colts at Heath RFC have combined to create a league of their own during this unusual season.

Each team has played each other so far with 10 a-side teams playing 10 minutes each half and receiving one point for a try.

The Club has mixed three age groups together - the U16s, U17s and U18s for even teams - which have integrated very well as they get used to playing alongside each other with evident enthusiasm and energy given the circumstances and restrictions that apply particularly to contact rugby.

The skill levels and attitude shown by the boys have been incredible bearing in mind they don’t usually play alongside each other and it has been a fabulous and inventive way for the Club to maintain the competitive spirit amongst these age groups.

The Mosquitoes are the current trailblazers being undefeated after seven games.

However as the tournament has progressed the skill levels have increased and the games have become close run affairs so the final playoffs once rugby returns, hopefully as soon as possible after December 2, gives these developing youth rugby squads something exciting to look forward to as they get back on the rugby pitch.