Loans 2 Go is proud to sponsor Grasshoppers RFC

We feature many articles in this column, usually related to financial or lifestyle tips for you and your family. But we thought it was about time to tell you a little bit more about what else we do here at Loans 2 Go. So in this article we are going to tell you all about Grasshoppers RFC!

Grasshoppers is a rugby club, located in Isleworth, west London. So what has that got to do with Loans 2 Go?

Loans 2 Go is proud to sponsor Grasshoppers Rugby Football Club, in particular their continued commitment to Youth in Sport.

To find out more about how our money helps Grasshoppers, we recently caught up with manager and coach Matt Gilmore for an update. Matt has been working for Grasshoppers since 2018, after previous experience in DHL and running his own freight business.

Grasshoppers was originally founded in 1950 and has occupied several sites before moving to its current premises in 2018. The Isleworth site was purpose-built for Grasshoppers RFC as part of Hounslow Schools Programme. It occupies 22 acres of land that used to be owned by the Earl of Jersey. Grasshoppers has enviable facilities including three grass and artificial 3G pitches, solar panels and underfloor heating.

Grasshoppers is open seven days a week, with a variety of regular sporting events including senior, junior, mini, womens’ and girls’ rugby, netball, gym, hurling and frisbee : the GB European frisbee championships – Ultimate Frisbee – are held at Grasshoppers. 

Not only that; in 2022 Grasshoppers RFC became the home of the women’s German National team for the UEFA Women’s EUROs. They trained at the club for a month taking advantage of the great facilities on offer. A fantastic experience for the Grasshoppers staff and proved to be one of Matt’s favourite moments of his time at the club.  

Grasshoppers is well-integrated into the local community. The gym is open to the local 6th form college, and local schools use Grasshoppers facilities for football, netball and general PE. The clubhouse is also available for hire for corporate events, weddings and parties. 

Part of the success of its community involvement is Grasshoppers’ very strong belief in diversity. Everyone is welcome at Grasshoppers and its membership is truly diverse. Their enlightened approach is groundbreaking and a shining example to other clubs within the RFU.

So where does Loans 2 Go fit into all this? 

As well as all the sporting activity within the club, there is a huge amount of effort going on off the field to improve Grasshoppers’ financial status. Times are hard. With a combination of challenges including severe weather, ongoing maintenance, inflation and staffing costs there are always huge demands on finances. So the financial support of Loans 2 Go makes a big difference to the work of Grasshoppers.

But as well as helping to top up the general financial pot, the money provided by Loans 2 Go is also channelled specifically into Grasshoppers’ work with junior and mini rugby. Children can start from the age of 4 and play matches from the age of 5. There are around 19 junior and mini teams, and young children start with tag rugby.

Our money is used to provide kit, including boots, tops and shorts. We also fund hardship places for five young players – including under 15s twins – to enable them to go on tour.

This can be life-changing: so far ten England players (a mix of boys and girls who have represented their country across both the junior and seniors) have emerged from Grasshoppers, and Grasshoppers also has established links with pro clubs and universities willing to offer scholarships.

But even for those players that don’t plan to make it big, and just want to enjoy a game of rugby, Loans 2 Go helps Grasshoppers to give them what they need. In the words of Matt Gilmore : 

“Without Loans 2 Go’s sponsorship those kids just couldn’t come to rugby. “

And that is why we are proud to sponsor Grasshoppers!

To keep in touch with the latest news from Loans 2 Go, do check back in with us here again soon.