SPECIAL FEATURE: Grassroots sport coping with a pandemic... Whyte Melville Bowls Club

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.

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.

Up first...

Whyte Melville Bowls Club...

A Sport England grant ensured one of the town’s oldest sporting institutions was given a crucial lifeline in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Northampton Whyte Melville Bowls Club was formed back in 1909, but was facing the stark reality of folding when the Government introduced the nationwide lockdown in March, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

All sports were suspended indefinitely, and that meant that Moulton-based Whyte Melville were looking at a bleak future, with no play on their greens, and no income from matches and fees.

But a request for a grant from Sport England proved to be a lifesaver.

“Back in March we were in the dire position of having to consider disbanding the 112-year-old club following the prospect of not being able to play bowls and therefore being unable to generate any income for the rest of this season due to Covid-19,” said club secretary Pat Bodily.

“Without income, the club savings would have only paid our outgoings until October.

“However, at the beginning of April we applied for a grant from the Sport England’s Community Emergency Fund and were extremely fortunate to receive £3,900.”

It was a huge relief, as it means they club is going to be okay until at least next spring.

“This has enabled us to meet our financial obligations until the start of next season,” added Bodily.

“Together with the grant and the support of our loyal core of members who have rejoined this year, despite only being able to play on a limited casual basis for the foreseeable future, the club has been given a much-needed lifeline.

“We share facilities with Fernie Fields Sports and Social Club which remains closed, but from this week the bowling green is opening for restricted play closely following the government guidelines and advice from Bowls England.

“All we can hope for now is a return to friendly matches, leagues and competitions at some point in the future.”