DMP Durham Sharks statement: 2022/23 Premier 15s crowdfunding
DMP Durham Sharks have been granted additional time to save their Allianz Premier 15s season following three “extraordinary” days of fundraising. Players on the only women’s top-flight rugby side in the northeast learned last week they would need to make up a £50,000 shortfall to stay in this year’s competition.
What at the time seemed an impossible feat grew ever closer since a crowdfunding campaign was launched over the weekend, generating £32,679 which, read a letter from the players, “includes both crowd-funding and sponsorship pledges”.
Players had set a deadline of Monday, when they were set to meet with club officials, to raise what they believed was the bare minimum to stay afloat in the Premier 15s and meet basic running costs. The latest letter, posted to Sharks players’ social media on Monday night and addressed to “supporters of rugby and women’s sport”, read: “We have been granted an extra 24 hours by the club to secure the commitment to underwrite any shortfall in running costs this coming season.
“The level of support towards our fight for keeping elite women’s rugby alive in the northeast offered by the public over the past 72 hours has been truly extraordinary. We would like to express our gratitude for all of your generosity so far, we are so close. Please continue to spread the word, donate if you can, or get in touch for more information on investment and sponsorship opportunities.”
A Wednesday morning tweet added: “DMP Durham Sharks continue to work closely with the RFU and key stakeholders in an attempt to secure the level of funding required to compete in the 2022/23 Allianz Premier 15s. We would like to thank all those who have offered support over recent weeks. We will provide a further update in due course.”
Sharks have been in the Premier 15s ever since women’s top flight was restructured and re-branded in 2017. Unlike most teams in the league, they are not affiliated with a Premiership Rugby side and do not boast full-time professionals nor England internationals like Harlequins and Saracens, the only two clubs to hold the Premier 15s title.
Their initial letter read: “We are reaching out to ask for your financial support to help us bridge the gap in the shortfall of the basic running costs required to compete in the league this year and supplement what is provided by the Rugby Football Union.
“It is roughly estimated that we need to raise a minimum of £50,000 in order to be able to stay afloat in the league and [we] feel our only option is to reach out to the public and ask for assistance. We have opted to try crowdfunding in order to raise money.
“However, the bottom line is that we need a consortium of individuals or businesses to commit to underwriting any shortfall in running costs over the season. As this is a time-sensitive issue, unfortunately this agreement must be in place by Monday, August 8.”
Sharks have finished bottom of the table for the past two seasons, with the upcoming 2022/23 campaign set to be their last before the RFU reopens its tendering process for clubs who wished to be part of the league’s next cycle. Rather than promotion or relegation, teams who pass the tendering process are guaranteed to remain in the league for a fixed period.
In June, the RFU announced it was investing up to £220million in the women’s game over the next decade, with plans to professionalise the Premier 15s in that time with several big-name organisations, including London Irish and Ealing Trailfinders, attached to possible inclusion bids.
The RFU, asked for a response to the latest developments, said: “DMP Durham Sharks are currently not in a position to secure the level of funding required to compete in the 2022-23 Allianz Premier 15s. The RFU and DMP Durham Sharks are working together to attain a suitable outcome given the circumstances. We understand this is a difficult and uncertain time for all involved and will update as and when we can.”
Comments on RugbyPass
I wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
1 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
4 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
23 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
23 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
16 Go to commentsForgive my ignorance, I might not fully understand so would appreciate clarification: Didn’t the Bulls have to fly with three different carriers, paid for by the South African Rugby Union, whilst Edinburgh got a chartered flight sponsored by EPCR? Also, as far as I understand it South African teams don’t yet share in the revenue from the competition and are not allowed to host Semi-finals or Finals at home. Surely if everyone wants South Africans to “take the competition seriously” then they must make South Africans feel welcome, allow them to share in the revenue, and give them the same levels of access as the teams from the other countries. Just a reminder that South Africa has a large and passionate Rugby audience. Just by virtue of our teams being a part of these competitions means that more of us are likely to watch the knockout games, even if our teams haven’t qualified. It would be silly to alienate such a large audience by making them feel unwelcome.
23 Go to comments