GRUFC looking for behind-scenes result

THE occasion of the Guernsey Rugby Club's first match in front of the Garenne Stand will be used to build awareness of the club's current financial plight. The new licensing laws have had a detrimental effect on the club's finances.

In response and as a keen supporter of rugby the new Guernsey Sports Commission chairman, Stuart Falla, will be making a presentation on the current state of affairs before the Hampshire League One match against Trojans, to stimulate debate on and ideas how to solve the problems.

'The Guernsey Sports Commission is keen to help them find a solution, as it would be for any sport in this sort of situation,' said the GSC chairman.

'As we have got the first game this weekend, we are taking the opportunity to invite those who care about the future of the club, such as ex-players and some of the current committee for example, and to paint a picture that outlines the challenges that they are facing.

'A solution is best found when 20 people are looking for it. No one person or a small group can come up with the answer - the best ideas come from a wide cross section of people.'

He adds that it would be wrong for people to be too limited in their thinking and that the long-term future of the sport on the island needed to be provided for.

'It has already been slightly reported that they are looking at the possibility of building a new clubhouse and there is interest in building a new clubhouse, but that does not necessarily cater for what is going to be of benefit for the next generation. We need a broader-brush approach.

'They have got an incredible number of minis playing now, there is a thriving community of young rugby players and the future is in the hands of those youngsters, but they are limited by the number of places they can play.

'In a way, you could say that the more important element for the future is to obtain more use of pitches than a new clubhouse, but inevitably these things go together,' he added.

Whether a new clubhouse would improve the finances sufficiently, or even considerably, is also questionable and that is why the commission wants to explore as many different avenues as possible.

'The clubhouse that was built in the early 1970s is now 30 years old and not at its very best condition. It became a Sunday drinking venue because it is a club and it attracted a certain clientele, but that clientele is no longer attracted there because other places are open now.

'We are hoping a couple of new innovations can come in to help the club compensate for that,' said the GSC chairman.

But there was good news for the GRUFC this week when building contractor R. G. Falla announced that it was extending their sponsorship into a third season.

'It is a genuine pleasure to sponsor the GRUFC for another year, especially when the team so obviously needs to feel the stability and weight of local support,' said

Andy Hall, managing director

of the building firm.

Guernsey captain Carl Johnson said that his club was proud to be associated with the company.

'Their help not only this year but as a long-time supporter of the club is really appreciated and we hope we can repay their faith by performing on the pitch this season,' he said.