One in ten sports clubs are not expecting to survive beyond the next 12 months. Credit: ITV News West Country
There are fears many grassroots sports clubs across the West Country will be forced to close as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
According to a new study, one in ten sports clubs do not think they will survive beyond the next twelve months.
On average groups across the country lost half of their income during lockdown.
Chaddlewood Miners football club in Plymouth is one of those struggling Credit: ITV News West Country
In Plymouth, those who run Chaddlewood Miners football club said it has been challenging.
The youth football clubs have not been able to host fundraising events such as a planned golf day, and for many months they could not open their facilities to train.
Chairman Jim Lacy also said getting businesses to sponsor the club is harder than ever.
The club is also worried about the physical and mental impact on their young players after not being able to play for three months.
Keeping players engaged is the hardest part of keeping Lydney Rugby Club going right now. Credit: ITV News West Country
At Lydney Rugby Club in Gloucestershire it is not the finances that they are worried about but trying to keep the team numbers up.
Ready4Rugby is a new non-contact game enabling two teams of up to 10 players to engage in training and match activity. Credit: ITV News West Country
The club is playing 'Ready 4 Rugby' - a non contact form of the game which is described as being like touch rugby, but it is not exciting players in the same way.
Even before the pandemic there has been a shortage of volunteers to maintain sports pitches. Credit: ITV News West Country
