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Storm Dennis caused devastating damage to some UK grassroots clubs
By Josh Raisey
Rugby clubs across the UK were hit by Storm Dennis over the weekend, which caused flooding across England and Wales.
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A number of clubs in Wales particularly felt the full force of the storm as river banks burst and flooded pitches and clubhouses.
A number of those have shared photos of the damage that has been caused and their efforts to recover from the floods.
Clubs across Caerphilly were hit severely, with Bedwas, Cross Keys and Risca suffering significant flooding and damage. The Rumney club in Cardiff also suffered significant damage.
As a result, Bedwas RFC will be closed until further notice. Please keep an eye out on our social media and website for information regarding rugby fixtures and events as we look to begin the process of getting the club up and running again. 2/2 #Wass pic.twitter.com/ofoeVpejgt
— Bedwas RFC (@bedwasrfc) February 16, 2020
The scene of the crime taken about 10 minutes ago, water is going down- slowly 🤷♀️🗝🗝🗝 pic.twitter.com/6FPAWszSH0
— Cross Keys RFC (@crosskeysrfc) February 16, 2020
Many rugby clubs across Wales affected by Storm Dennis.
Just spoke to @RumneyRugby's chairman who calls it the worst he's seen in the 45 years he's been involved.
Drone footage reveals the scale of the flooding.https://t.co/UO956yphax
— Matthew Southcombe (@MattSouth7) February 17, 2020
🌧 Our clubhouse has been heavily damaged by #StormDennis. We currently have no power and a lot of our equipment has been destroyed. Please help us with the cleanup!
Donate now 👉 https://t.co/OsGOOuspzp pic.twitter.com/sGE6umKlsJ
— NHSOB RFC (@NHSOBRFC1) February 16, 2020
The club and centre will be closed until further notice😭😭 pic.twitter.com/zkOXn1BWjr
— Risca RFC (@RiscaRFC) February 16, 2020
🌟 🌟 So the clean up begins! 🌟 🌟
Volunteers at the many!!!
The generosity of the local people & buiness has been overwhelming so far!!
Everyone who has donated in any way, big or small, we are incredibly grateful!! pic.twitter.com/6wAsoevqMk
— Lydney RFC (@lydney_rfc) February 17, 2020
Towns in England also experienced similar flooding, particularly those in Derbyshire and Yorkshire, with many pitches completely submerged under water.
Not again ☹️ pic.twitter.com/ZmLggwFhdK
— DerbyRugbyClub (@DerbyRugbyClub) February 16, 2020
PITCH FLOODING 💧| The torrential rain experienced last night caused by Storm Dennis has unfortunately caused our pitches to flood, once again. 😢
.#stormdennis #pitchflooding #belper #belperrufc #belperrugby pic.twitter.com/taKq85qn88— Belper Rugby Club (@belperrufc) February 16, 2020
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It’s heartbreaking. My husband’s rugby club @HeathRUFC has flooded again – much worse than the 2015 Boxing Day floods. And a number of cars destroyed. pic.twitter.com/i9OXkN1a8r
— Liz Harrison (@LizHarrison4u) February 10, 2020
Rugby's going to be tricky #StormDennis #Launceston pic.twitter.com/fUWyKIcX3Q
— Elizabeth Duncan (@LizDunx) February 16, 2020
Campaigns have been launched since the storm to help repair damage that has been caused, which in many circumstances has seen clubhouses ravaged by water.
📢 Update from Bedwas RFC…
We have learned that our insurance will NOT cover flood damage and so we are launching a fundraising campaign to help rebuild the club which has been at the heart of the community since 1889.
Learn more and donate ⤵️
— Bedwas RFC (@bedwasrfc) February 17, 2020
Bedwas have also revealed that their insurance will not cover the flood damage, so they will be heavily reliant on fundraising to recover.
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