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Clubs Boosted by Cashback Incentive
15th February 2008
Ulster Branch affiliated rugby clubs and schools across the province have been getting a financial boost thanks to the Ulster Rugby MasterCard cashback incentive.
Ulster Branch affiliated rugby clubs and schools across the province have been getting a financial boost thanks to the Ulster Rugby MasterCard cashback incentive.
The Ulster Rugby MasterCard was launched last year in conjunction with team partner the Bank of Ireland and to date, Ulster Rugby has donated almost £3000 to its clubs and schools nominated on application forms.
On every form there is an option for the applicant to nominate an Ulster Branch affiliated club or school which will receive £5 of the sign-up fee paid to Ulster Rugby by the Bank of Ireland. During last September and October this amount was doubled to £10 to encourage clubs and school to get involved, and with the support local Bank of Ireland branches, they're now reaping the benefits.
It’s hoped that the money raised by individual clubs and schools can be put directly back into encouraging the growth of rugby in the province, for example it could be used to purchase new training equipment, to help pay for a new scrummaging machine, balls or bibs, or maybe to help purchase a new playing strip. Some organisations may chose to channel it towards the maintenance of the pitches or the club-house, to help with away travel, even towards local advertising to encourage more people to join the club.
So far Ballynahinch RFC has raised £295 from the Ulster Rugby MasterCard, money that Club Media Officer and Council Member John Dickson says will help boost the mini section of the club which as nearly 300 children turning out each Saturday morning at Ballymacaran Park;
"We intend to use the money raised from the MasterCard to put towards purchasing new playing equipment for our mini section at the club, particularly tags, bibs and cones for our P1, P2 and P3 age-groups"
Ballynahinch currently top the roll of honour so far in terms of how much money they've raised from the MasterCard however Coleraine and Larne Rugby Clubs have each received cheques totalling £220 while Bangor have raised £215 and Ballymena £210 from contributions from Ulster Rugby.
Amy Alexander, Credit Card product manager with Bank of Ireland said, “We’re delighted to see the benefits of the Ulster Rugby MasterCard reaching the grass roots of the game and supporting the sport and players at club level, as well as through the academy.”
Payments to clubs and schools from Ulster Rugby are made quarterly following the receipt of reporting from the Bank of Ireland.
Anyone interested in finding out more about how they can raise a few pounds for their local club or school, while also benefiting the Ulster Rugby Academy, to which all proceeds from the MasterCard are directed, can contact Ulster Rugby on 028 9049 3222 or their local Bank of Ireland Branch.
© Bank of Ireland 2008
