10 Jan 2024

Nottingham ask for donations after pitch, clubhouse flooded

7:44 am on 10 January 2024
A rugby ball is seen in a puddle of rainwater during South Africa's Captain's Run session at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama on October 25, 2019, ahead of the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final match against Wales. (Photo by Odd Andersen / AFP)

Wet weather has damaged Nottingham Rugby's fields and facilities Photo: AFP or licensors

Nottingham Rugby have appealed for donations after their pitches and facilities were hit by severe flooding, with the English second-tier club saying their insurance will not cover the damage as the venue sits on a floodplain.

Nottingham's JustGiving page has raised $24,200 from over 400 supporters since its launch, having set a target of $100,000.

"Due to being on a floodplain, the insurance available to the club will not cover the costs incurred of the flooding," the club said in a statement on Monday.

"Hence we are asking for extra financial help."

Head coach Dave Ross told The Guardian "everyone has mucked in" to repair the damage.

"The players all had their wellies on earlier and were getting involved trying to help as they could," he said. "So many volunteers have helped and the work to get us going again hasn't stopped. But mother nature is a beast sometimes."

Storm Henk has brought gales and heavy rain to parts of Britain, causing power outages, disrupting train travel and forcing the closure of major roads because of flooding.

-Reuters