RFU Clubs in National League 1 and lower divisions are eligible to apply for a support package for volunteer recruitment through this fund.

Available through the RFU Volunteer Recruitment Fund, the package is worth up to £500 and includes access to online learning modules and additional guidance to assist with planning and executing a successful volunteer recruitment initiative.

In the 2022/2023 season, the RFU will be awarding 100 clubs a grant.

The Fund was established in response to the National Rugby Survey, which revealed that volunteer recruitment is a significant challenge for many clubs, and it builds on a successful pilot programme.

It could be for a targeted volunteer open evening, a volunteer work party or targeted marketing & communications, for example.

The objective of the fund is to help clubs create new opportunities to recruit, raise awareness of the benefits of volunteering to new audiences and embed volunteer management in club working practices.

The aim is to overcome barriers highlighted through previous research, including the majority of the public not realising that community sports clubs rely on volunteers and nearly a fifth stating that the reason they don’t volunteer is that they have not been asked.

The programme will run over three seasons.

Clubs will only be eligible for a one-off grant across the 3 years.

The first deadline for clubs to apply is 5pm on 24 March 2023.

Successful clubs will be contacted in April 2023.

Funded projects must be completed by 30 December 2023.

For full details and to apply, visit the RFU Recruit and Retain Volunteers webpage.