Bury St Edmunds RUFC is set to move its 1st team squad to a semi-professional status next season. The decision to make this change has been taken after much consideration by the Club’s Executive Committee, in line with the Club’s ongoing development programme and progression as one of the top rugby union clubs in East Anglia. Bury Rugby Club’s top two senior teams, approximately 30 players, will be contracted on a semi-professional footing for the 2015/16 season.
The National Division 3 Club, which is currently sitting top of the league, will implement a system where players in the 1st XV and Wolfhounds teams could potentially receive a modest cash incentive, linked not only to playing but also to attending training sessions. In addition, they will be required to assist with coaching the Club’s sections.
Club Chairman, Mike Robinson, speaking on behalf of the committee said, “This is something the committee have thought long and hard about, because we ar it incr to compete against the majority of other clubs at this level who are paying players a match fee. One team in our division has a playing budget of over £100,000, while we’re asking our squads to train twice a ws work in their own time and then sometimes get on a coach for a four hour journey before a game, currently with no recompense. Therefore this move is now necessary in order for us to be able to attract and retain the calibre of player we need; not only to remain at our current level, but crucially to realise our ambitions and aspirations to become a National 2 Club. Nowadays, players of this standard expect modest rewards in recognition of the commitment needed to compete at this level”.
“If we are serious about progressing as a club, about retaining our best young players and attracting others, then this is a step we must now take. It all comes down to having an element of control over our players, due to the commitment they need to make”.
Robinson added:
“Of course the committee recognise that it has to be viable , and run on a business model that is self-sustaining. Consequently, our initial budget will be relatively small. Fortunately our continued success and high prot we have several supportive local sponsors looking tom the exposure our success is giving them. Their combined input will enable us to mak transition, albeit on a small scale to begin with.”
Bury is a professionally run rugby club and past e has meant that it is debt free table. A separate limited company has been established that will run the 1st team squad. It will handle payments and, where relevant, tax and NI contributions, along with players’ membership fees. The new Company, Bury Pro-Am Rugby Ltd will be funded by sponsorship from a range of local businesses, meaning that the rest of the amateur Club, including the youth and mini sections, will not be funding this move; continuing to operate as it has done sinct started; as an amateur club run by volunteers.
This historic move represents the next step in the almost 90 year history of Bury’s successful and thriving community rugby club.
