Harlow Rugby Club given £50,000 cash boost by council
News / Wed 9th Oct 2024 at 07:16am
JUST as we were about to publish a news items on the financial challenges facing the rugby club in Harlow, we were alerted to news of a very substantial cash injection by Harlow Council.
So we asked the council to tell us a little bit more.
A Harlow Council spokesperson said: “Harlow Council is very proud of the town’s rugby club and the fantastic facilities the club boasts. The club already does a great deal to engage with local schools and Harlow’s young people.
Earlier this year, the club made a successful £50,000 grant application to the council to expand this provision.
“This funding is for the delivery a full programme of events, improvements and development of players and coaches, and to expand access to the sport to all areas of the community.
It is expected that the funding will result in the club reaching more than 1,000 children aged 7-16, school visits from coaches, enhanced provision for mixed ability rugby, and working with local groups such as Scouts, Brownies, and charitable and voluntary groups.
The grant will also go towards further improving the club’s facilities. The grant will be closely monitored against the outcomes set out by the club in its application for the benefit of residents.
“The council has not and does not provide the club with any financial support, but has made a one-off grant to the club from an existing budget for the specific purposes outlined above.”
Adam
2024-10-09 11:20:03
Why is the council handing out tax payers money to a sporting club. It is not the tax payers job to support sports, or get people active.
Resident
2024-10-09 14:35:38
Sport England and Active Essex are also funding getting people active, overall it saves money especially that spent by the nhs. Activities also provide employment, reduce crime and therefore are good projects in which the government and local authorities should plough far more resources into. Harlow especially suffered from the radical cut backs made in such projects over the last 40 or more years. However it's noteworthy that The Rugby Club is already has "fantastic facilities" to promote rugby.
Adam
2024-10-09 18:32:21
@Resident, no it does not these studies always claim that but it never happens the NHS is a bottomless pit. Sport is a hobby a pass time, not one penny of tax payers money should be spent on it. Sport England and Active Essex should not get 1 penny of government funding, it is that simple.
Church Langley Resident
2024-10-09 19:26:16
I find it absolute amazing how the large sports clubs (Cricket and Rugby) in Harlow get the funding and the required assistance from Harlow Council when other grass root charities/sports clubs get absolutely no assistance from our wonderful council. Harlow Council you should be ashamed of yourselves! The big clubs get bigger and can therefore manage to hire out their facilities to get even bigger. I have no problem with this but please come clean and let us know what money is available for the smaller sports and youth facilities in Harlow. Harlow Council please stop hiding behind your false promises and finally come clean as to who you are and who you are not prepared to help. It will certainly avoid wonderful volunteers wasting their valuable time on trying to get something that the Council are not prepared to back!!!
Resident
2024-10-10 00:06:50
Adam, where will we see you at the next Run for Life, weightwatchers or A&E? What business does the government have in the health of it's people? Thinking you have lost the plot.
Sam clark (Fudge)
2024-10-11 09:44:20
Phew! Was worried I wouldn’t of got paid then lol. Thank u Local Council!
Sam clark (Fudge)
2024-10-11 09:45:23
Phew! Was worried I wouldn’t of got paid then lol. Thank u Local Council
Smiffy
2024-10-12 06:44:35
It would be good to know where this £50,000 came from. Thee are very many worthwhile organisations and charities in the town who are assisting the community of Harlow who are very much in need of funding,. There are extremely scarce and over subscribed funding pots available. Does Harlow Council have a grant scheme that others can apply for. What was the criteria for the award of this funding to the Rugby Club. How can other charities etc benefit. Where was it advertised that this funding was available. Why just the Rugby club ( worthwhile I’m sure, but to the detriment if others that help more people or just a favourite of councillor Swords ?). Why haven’t others raised this ?
Robin of H Town
2024-10-12 23:34:31
In response to the recent article on Harlow Rugby Club receiving a £50,000 boost from the council, it’s important to highlight that many local charities, especially those supporting underprivileged children and families in Harlow, struggle to secure much-needed funding. These charities play a crucial role in the community, providing essential services and support to some of the most vulnerable residents. Yet, they often aren’t given any information about how to apply for council funds or whether such funds are even available to them. This raises serious questions about the transparency of the council’s funding processes. Was this money open to a competitive application process, or was it a discretionary payment given to a preferred cause? For many, it feels as though this is more like a backhanded payment to a councillor’s favoured sport, with public money being treated like a private fund. If council money is being allocated, it should be done in a fair and open manner, ensuring that all organisations that support the community, particularly those helping those in greatest need, have an equal opportunity to access it.
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