Earlier this week, the Rugby Union Recovery Fund released funds raised over the past year to clubs and organizations that were affected by Hurricane Katrina in the fall of 2005.

The funds dispersed included money granted to clubs in the hurricane-affected area such as New Orleans RFC and Battleship RFC to help rebuild their rugby programs. The money granted to these clubs will primarily be used for grounds repairs and lights as well as operational costs for the upcoming year. Battleship RFC of Mobile, AL also received money to help promote their upcoming tournament on November 11-12. Rugby Magazine’s Ed Hagerty also assisted in reducing Battleship’s advertising costs in the publication

Deep South Rugby Football Union Referees Society (DSRFU) will also be supported by the funds raised by the Rugby Union Recovery Fund.

“They lost three refs completely through Katrina. The funds will cover the costs of sending the Referee Chair to the next IRB referee training course in Toronto this upcoming October,” said Tom Alderton, President-Treasurer of DSRFU.

“This should allow us to better recruit and train referees in this area which covers Northwest Florida, most of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.”

Other clubs receiving grants were six Louisiana college rugby clubs: Tulane University, Loyola University New Orleans, University of New Orleans, University of Louisiana-Lafayette, and Southeastern Louisiana University. The Louisiana U-19 rugby program was also supported by the fund.

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