Twenty-two community rugby clubs have been awarded a share of £300,000 through the Scottish Gas Community Net Zero fund, helping clubs remain sustainable by reducing their energy bills and carbon footprint.
The 22 clubs are the year one recipients in a five-year agreement with Scottish Gas to assist in funding retrofit modern and inexpensive heating and electrical upgrades.
Recipient clubs play their rugby all the way from the Arnold Clark Men’s and Women’s Premierships clubs to the national leagues, aspiring league, as well as regional leagues.
The successful clubs for the first tranche were initially surveyed by Scottish Gas to investigate their existing facilities, including the clubhouse, changing rooms, gym facilities and other communal spaces.
This was followed up with community workshops held at clubs, which helped provide wrap-around support to club members to reduce their energy costs at home.
Scottish Gas used the survey results to pinpoint areas where community clubs could improve and where costs were too high. They then worked closely with the clubs to develop plans for reducing these expenses.
The funding awarded to each club will now be used to tackle the specific issues identified in the survey.
Scottish Rugby’s Area Director for Caledonia, Rudi Urbach said the clubs will “benefit significantly” from the partnership and work been undertaken with Scottish Gas.
“The process we have in place for a key partner like Scottish Gas to directly engage clubs has been both meaningful and rewarding. We have a programme which is laying the foundations for a move to net zero for our communities, positioning rugby clubs as leaders in this space.
“We’re excited about this project which is already in train, and we’re looking forward to seeing how our working partnership with Scottish Gas matures to benefit clubs and the communities they serve. Early evidence and survey data suggests that rugby clubs could realise material savings as they start considering the various options for changing behaviours and physical adaptations to their facilities the programme is offering; and that can only be viewed as a big step forward.”
Strathmore RFC business development manager Nic Welsh said:
“It’s so important that clubs like Strathmore improve their facilities so they can continue to be safe places for everyone in the community. Things like installing sustainable heating and reducing energy bills ease the financial pressure for the club so it can focus on its core purpose of supporting people of all abilities and ages to connect and grow through movement.”
Karim Awadia, Regional Manager for Net Zero Community Engagement at Scottish Gas, said:
“Many sports facilities in Scotland were built decades ago and are now in need of retrofitting to meet modern sustainability requirements. At Scottish Gas, we’re working with local community clubs across the country to provide expert advice on energy efficiency, while implementing measures and building improvements, such as insulation and appropriate ventilation, to reduce consumptions.”
To find out more about the Scottish Gas Net Zero funding for clubs, head to this webpage.
Scottish Gas Net Zero awarded clubs:
• Alloa RFC • Ardrossan Academicals RFC • Ayr RFC • Biggar RFC • Cartha Queens Park RFC • Corstorphine Cougars • Falkirk RFC • Garioch RFC • Grangemouth RFC • Greenock RFC • Hawick RFC • Linlithgow RFC • Lismore RFC • Livingston RFC • Moffat RFC • Moray RFC • Musselburgh RFC • Orkney RFC • Selkirk RFC • Strathmore RFC • Waysiders Drumpellier RFC • West of Scotland
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