Creating more time for rugby, community and the people behind the club

Supporting the people behind the club

Pulborough RFC is a busy community rugby club in the heart of West Sussex, bringing together players, families and volunteers across its mini, junior, senior men’s and women’s sections.

Today, the club feels far more manageable for the volunteers helping run things behind the scenes. Coaches have clearer visibility across player groups, families have a smoother experience throughout the season and volunteers are spending less time buried in paperwork and admin tasks.

That has created more breathing room for the people behind the club to focus on what grassroots rugby is really about: supporting players, building confidence and creating a positive environment for the wider community.

The moment I realised that this had made my life so much easier was at the start of the season, when 400 players no longer needed paper forms.

More time for the people side of the club

For Pulborough RFC, one of the biggest changes has been the amount of time volunteers have been able to give back to the rugby itself.

Instead of spending evenings manually processing forms and checking spreadsheets, volunteers are now able to focus more energy on supporting players, speaking to families and helping the club continue growing in a positive way.

“The moment I realised that this had made my life so much easier was at the start of the season, when 400 players no longer needed paper forms.” - Stuart Powers, Pullborough RFC

For grassroots volunteers balancing club responsibilities around work and family life, reducing that pressure can make a huge difference across the season.

It is very important that we understand which players sit in which groups. I can then provide the club coaches with accurate information about their player base.

Helping the club feel more connected and organised

As clubs grow, keeping everyone connected and informed becomes increasingly important.

Pulborough RFC wanted to make sure players, families, coaches and volunteers all had a smoother experience across the club, particularly during busy periods at the start of the season.

Having clearer player information and age-group organisation in place helped reduce confusion and made it easier for coaches to support their squads.

“It is very important that we understand which players sit in which groups. I can then provide the club coaches with accurate information about their player base.”

That clarity has helped things feel calmer and more manageable behind the scenes, while also creating a more consistent experience for families moving through the club.

Supporting sustainable growth across the club

Since introducing Thrive4Grassroots, Pulborough RFC has seen a 20% increase in subscription revenue while significantly reducing the amount of time volunteers spend managing registrations and payments.

But for grassroots clubs, success is not only about financial growth.

It is about creating an environment where volunteers feel supported, families stay connected and players continue enjoying rugby in a welcoming community setting year after year.

For Pulborough RFC, creating that extra breathing space has helped the club continue growing without losing the community spirit that sits at the heart of grassroots rugby.