Crawley making a real difference
Crawley RFC epitomises the kind of rugby club making a real difference to those who need them most. Their five-year plan aims to see them become a valuable hub for their community and they are well on the way to achieving that ambition.
Their hard work was rewarded when 25 coaches and managers were out on Twickenham’s turf carrying the national flags before kick-off when England took on Ireland in the Guinness Six Nations.
Anthony Padfield, CRFC U14 coach, said: “It was an absolute privilege to represent Crawley Rugby Club at the hallowed ground of Twickenham. Thank you to the RFU for recognising all the great work that the club does for the community and for all their efforts to make it one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. We had the best atmosphere and that Marcus Smith kick was the cherry on top!”
Jet propelled
One of the most successful challenges they have met was bringing together and launching the Crawley Jets wheelchair rugby team and providing a game for many people who use a wheelchair. Creating a place where they can take part in a team sport, after three years’ hard work the club has purchased all the kit and equipment required, including 10 specialist wheelchairs and is currently the only community rugby club in Sussex and the wider community providing wheelchair rugby as a team within its club.
Over recent years the rugby club has become a home for five local charities working with vulnerable people within the town as a safe space to socialise, as well as forming links with a local food charity who use the club to teach young children how to cook healthy meals at home.
The club’s main charity partnership is working with a sponsor to pack over 2,000 Christmas meals for families across Crawley and wrap over 1,500 presents, all delivered to families on Christmas Eve. Now in its fourth year this initiative continues to grow and spread cheer for the wider community.
Rugby and fun
And they’re certainly not neglecting the rugby, having a workforce who go into all 28 local primary schools to delivery rugby sessions as part of PE lessons. They have also ensured that rugby happens in four secondary schools by providing the coaching and refereeing on match days and creating a Crawley schools competition. The team deliver over 420 rugby sessions during term time and 80 after school club sessions.
Add to this major events like firework night displays, monthly comedy nights with A list celebrity comedians, comedy on the pitch for emergency service workers and it’s clear that the plan is working.
Crawley RFC Chair, Dan McGurran said: “Bringing this plan together with the club’s valuable volunteers was always going to be ambitious. Now seeing it coming to life and growing year on year is testament to the rugby club and its values. It’s a real joy to see this ability to support so many people through our sport and all of our amazing volunteers.”
