In the latest instalment of our series on clubs supporting the community, the focus turns to Banbridge RFC, who have been taking part in a pharmacy scheme, delivering food to the Loughbrickland 60+ group, plus other initiatives to assist people in the local area.
Commenting on the club’s community involvement, Banbridge RFC’s outgoing Honorary Secretary and incoming Media & Marketing Convenor, Marc Eadie said, “At the start of lockdown, I put together a WhatsApp group and there are around 10 of us who are available to help people in the area.
“Through Ulster Rugby, we got in touch with Community Development and Health Network to assist with pharmacy deliveries. The club does at least one delivery each day, making on average 12 deliveries in one run. We’re very fortunate that we have members who have some spare time to help out.
“The 60+ group in Loughbrickland got in touch with us to ask for our help and we now make monthly lunch deliveries for their members. We do everything we can to deliver the food and have a chat with the residents while complying with social distancing guidelines.
“As well as helping the 60+ group, Banbridge RFC collects food donations from members and drops off these supplies to local foodbanks in the town, rather than starting up our own foodbank as there are a few already in the area that are in need of donations.
“We make a lot of phone calls to our older members to check in on them, to see if they have everything they need, or just for a bit of a natter as a lot of them are living on their own. It’s important to us that we make sure they don’t feel isolated and that they’re supported by the club.
“Since the onset of COVID-19, we have really upped our social media efforts to let our members know the club is still there for them. Every morning, we do a feature on our sponsors to thank them for their support. We also share profiles of our younger members and Q&As with senior players. On Sunday night, our Head Coach, Mark McDowell gave a review of the season on YouTube and Instagram for our members. We also had a ‘Get to know’ series on the club’s Executive Committee, the senior and youth coaches and managers this week to help further engage current and prospective members.
“We get wonderful support from our sponsors in the community and this is our opportunity to give back. We make deliveries in our Banbridge kit and it not only helps to engage with the community, but it puts our name out there too. It might encourage people to think about coming down to support the club when rugby resumes. We’re very much a community club and our tagline is “a club for all”. We want people to know that it’s there for everyone in the area.”
If clubs wish to get involved, please check with your local council to find out what help is required in your area.
