Kendal Rugby Union Club has published their vision for the next five years – one that will be regularly reviewed.
The club’s board had been ready to produce their blueprint for the future but were interrupted and frustrated by COVID.
This latest strategic plan sets out the framework for development up to 2028 and is described as a ‘living document’ which will evolve with regular reviews.
In a statement the club says: “It does, however, set some targets and challenges to benchmark our progress in a difficult economic environment, where the support from our governing body (The RFU) for community rugby has been gradually reduced over the last 10 years.”
There are two strategic goals in the plan:
- KRUFC aims to be Kendal’s strongest and most inclusive sports facility, underpinned by good governance and leadership, with the financial strength to maintain and increase investment in the game of rugby to drive community participation and player development.
- To create and maintain a rugby infrastructure that leads to KRUFC consistently being the number one ranked club in Cumbria and in the top five ranked clubs in Lancashire (it currently sits seventh in Lancashire).
The club said: “These are ambitious targets that key well with the aims and objectives set out in our charity memorandum. To deliver the above we identified the need to work in a number of areas of focus. There are five strategic priorities and two enabling priorities.”
Enabling priorities
- Volunteers
- Community
Strategic priorities
- Facilities
- Player offer
- Welfare
- Leadership
- Secure finances
The club added: “Each one of these is assigned to a board member and reviewed at each main board meeting to gauge progress.
“There is a lot of detail behind each category, outlining the current position and stating ambitions for the future.
“As an example, the playing offer this season now includes an insurance for the three senior teams – 1st and 2nd men and women’s – to cover loss of earnings in the event of an injury sustained while playing or training.
“The strategic plan is not an end in itself, but a clear statement of the club’s intent and wish to work in a co-ordinated and professional manner.
“Regular review will allow us to judge our progress and prioritise our efforts to offer our local community the opportunity to participate both in rugby and social activities. We shall provide updates periodically throughout the year.”
Kendal have made a solid start to the campaign with two wins and a narrow defeat at Manchester to move to third in the Regional 1 North West table.
