SPECIAL FEATURE: Grassroots sport coping with a pandemic... Old Scouts Rugby Club

Old Scouts is based on Rushmere Road in Northampton

It has been a tough 10 weeks or so for grassroots sporting clubs across the area, with all activities suspended as part of the battle to get on top of Covid-19.

Thousands of people, young and old, have been denied the chance to play cricket, football, tennis, rugby, bowls and many other sports, but there does seem to be light at the end of the tunnel as restrictions are carefully eased.

The main focus has unsurprisingly been on the major and professional sports getting back into action, behind closed doors, and in the UK the Premier League is set to resume in a couple of weeks, the Cobblers are on course to get back playing by the end of the month and Silverstone will stage two Formula One GPs in August.

Old Scouts volunteers have been busy creating extra car parking space at the club

But what about those grassroot sports clubs?

How has the pandemic and suspension of sport affected them over the past three months? How are they coping financially?

Today, the Chron publishes a series of online articles touching on how a selection of the area’s sporting clubs have dealt with the crisis, and their hopes, and fears, for the future.

Number two...

There has been no rugby played at Old Scouts since March

Old Scouts Rugby Club...

All grassroots sports are going to face challenges as they try to return to some sort of competitive action following this coronavirus pandemic.

But surely rugby is going to have the most hurdles to overcome?

The sheer nature of the sport means that up close physical contact is inevitable for every single player.

Whether it be those forwards involved in scrummaging, mauls and lineouts, to the backs who make and take tackles on a regular basis, or find themselves at the bottom of a ruck.

Then of course, there is the simple fact that all of the players handle the ball throughout any given game.

It could be a long way back.

Northanpton Old Scouts is a thriving club with a proud history - it’s where World Cup winners Ben Cohen and Steve Thompson took their first steps in the sport ater all.

They have around 400 players utilising the facilities on any given week through the season, with fellow town rugby clubs Heathens and Northampton Outlaws also using their Rushmere Road facilities.

With it being summer, it is the off-season for rugby, but the pandemic has already had a dramatic effect on the club, both financially, and on and off the pitch.

“Old Scouts are probably not in any different mode than other sports clubs,” said president Keith Shurville.

“The club has lost some big money spinners that are usually used to support the running of the club over the following year.

“Club dinners planned for the senior section, mini and junior sections have had to be cancelled, plus those of Outlaws and Heathens who also use our facilities.

“We have also had to cancel the annual Sausage and Cider Festival, which has been well attended in the past by members of the community, plus regular club bookings.”

But it is not all negative, and Shurville is confident the club has a bright future ahead of it - providing it doesn’t take too long for the actual playing of rugby to return.

“It all sounds like real bad news, but the club has been fortunate in receiving a couple of grants that should tide us over until we reopen and rugby can commence, as long as it is not too far in to the future,” he said.

“In the meantime, regular checks are being carried out to ascertain how we go forward.

“On the playing side a lot of the members are keeping themselves probably fitter than normal at this time of year, when they are normally out of season, so should be raring to go when the green light is shown.”

And when those players return, they may well find a new and improved home they will be walking into.

“The club is also taking the opportunity of members having nothing to do, and by keeping social distancing have cleared some ground to improve the view of the club and create extra car parking,” added Shurville.

“There are also plans for members to help upgrade the changing facilities and grounds.

“So, although not all positive, there will be some benefits for members in the long term and as long as we all stay safe then we await next season with anticipation.”