You may have seen the recent flurry of activity on social media over the weekend regarding the future of Stourbridge Lions. With so many mixed messages, the Management Committee of SRFC have issued this statement for further clarity on what was proposed at the AGM.

History

Stourbridge Lions were established in 2002 and are a separate club from SRFC which was a necessity at the time due to regulations to field a league side. They have their own Chairman, Treasurer, President, Secretary and Committee. They have their own sponsorship and have operated from Stourton Park as a conduit to some of the junior players in the club and developed into a strong team. They were also supported by some of the First XV when there was provision to do so. During these times there was a healthy turn out for the Greyhounds and Grasshoppers. The highlight to the Lions was their promotion to Midlands West One in 2016/2017.
Before the pandemic The Lions were relegated to Midlands West 2, numbers were dropping steadily and post pandemic (last season) the Lions forfeited some of their games because they were unable to field a side.
Many of the players who populated the Lions last season were from the SRFC amateur sides, the Greyhounds and at times from the Grasshoppers. In January 2021 our Director of Rugby had to withdraw the Greyhounds from the Merit table because too many of their players had been absorbed into the Lions and therefore could not fulfil their fixtures.

Current

There has been a substantial reduction in the number of amateur players playing rugby nationally and consequently Stourbridge RFC Committee concluded that the focus should not be to try and populate 3 sides when at times, we struggled to put out one. Had there been relegation last season the Lions who finished bottom of the league on zero points would have been demoted to level 8. Therefore, the sensible decision was to look after the SRFC amateur sides, the Hounds and Hoppers and suggest that the Lions players join them and put the strength into the two amateur sides we have historically run.

At the end of 2021 Stourbridge Lions became ‘Stourbridge Lions 2022’, confirming their desire for independent status. Latterly however, their Committee have changed their mind and wish to be amalgamated into SRFC now that the free flow of players is allowed between level 3 and level 7.

Future

Considering the current financial precipice we all face heading into a possible recession the Committee have despite inflationary pressures showed due diligence in financial husbandry and decided to keep membership at £130.00 and allow complimentary use of the renovated gym to all members to incentivise membership during these difficult times. In the interest of the membership, it would not be the time to absorb a league side into the club with the additional expense that would bring and decimate even further our two amateur sides. The free flow of players between a level 4 side and a 7 (or what should have been a level 8 side had there been relegation 2020/21) is simply untenable. In essence there are simply not enough players out there to populate three amateur sides with a substantial group of the Lions players coming from the Greyhounds, it makes sense to progress the Greyhounds.
Further we are aware that we are duty bound to protect the financial footing of the club for future generations whether that be fuelled by on-going infrastructure needs to update or, for instance, the ageing lift or the out -of -date fire alarm and CCTV. Combine this with the loss of established sponsors through Covid. Add to it the reduction of the 1st XV budget. Add to the jigsaw additional edicts from the RFU demanding compulsory expensive Medical oversight. Whereas we continue to strive for additional income and be strict on expenses we need to be very wary of how the looming recession will effect us all. Both ourselves and other clubs will be better placed in a few months on and off the field to monitor the 2022/2023 season.

We therefore announced at the AGM that we will be supporting the Greyhounds and Grasshoppers as the base line and pathway for our Colts and players who wish to progress to the First XV or simply prefer to play social rugby. There is also the intention to have development games during the season where senior colts Hounds, Hoppers, and fringe First XV will play in the same team.

We are also continuing to support and encourage the growth of the ladies team. This of course has a financial implication for club resources. Equal promotion of female sport should be a cornerstone and legacy, we are proud of as a club. We have therefore informed the Lions Committee with whom we have tried for over fifteen months to negotiate, that they have two choices.

• Forego their league status and join the Greyhounds and support the SRFC amateur club teams
or
• Continue autonomously as the Lions which they have for the last 20 years, but pay a nominal fee for the use of the facilities, as we would expect from any other rugby club using SRFC

Thus far the Lions have declined the opportunity to sign a provisional contract and until such time they will not be able to train or play at Stourton Park.

SRFC Management Committee