Men's rugby team launches crowdfunder to cover rising costs
22 September 2025
Launching the crowdfunder, Detective Inspector Dave Knight, the side’s manager, said the team played an important role in the health and wellbeing of the players involved.
The side, which reached the semi-finals of the Police Sport UK (PSUK) Shield last season, is almost entirely self-funded.
Officers and staff pay into a central sports fund as well as club subscriptions, but rising costs are stretching the finances.
West Mercia Police Men’s Rugby Team winning the Pershore Charity
Touch Rugby Festival this summer
The team has launched a crowdfunder, which will run for three months, to try to establish a more secure financial future.
Dave said: “We have a really good relationship with a few of our local clubs, Upton Upon Severn RFC, Malvern RFC and Stourport RFC.
“However, running a home game now costs around £240 once you factor in physios, referees, touch judges, and floodlights if we play in the evening.
“Everything’s gone up about 15% in the last year.
Crowdfunder
“We can’t just keep asking officers to pay more, so we’re hoping the crowdfunder will give us a bit of breathing space.”
The money will be used to pay for ongoing pitch hire, for referees and touch judges, for a physio, and kit such as playing shirts and rugby balls.
Dave said the club may also look into sponsorship, if appropriate opportunities arose.
The club has a deal with Quick Mortgages, which has provided a first aid kit and water bottles for players.
Beyond the financial strain, Dave stressed the importance of the team for officer and staff wellbeing.
“Policing in 2025 is very different to when I joined in 2002,” he said.
Mental health
“The demands are higher and the pressures are greater. We are continually stretched, which has a knock-on effect on the mental health of officers and staff.
“Being part of a sports team that has police in its heart, with camaraderie and support but that is also distanced from the negative aspects of a difficult job, makes a huge difference.
“I believe there are officers and staff that play rugby for us, and without the team might not have remained within West Mercia Police.”
The West Mercia Police Men’s Rugby Team was reinvigorated by Chief Inspector Dave King about eight years ago after going dormant for a number of years.
It rejoined the PSUK competition in the 2022/23 season and last season reached the last four in the Shield.
Touch rugby
The team has started the season on the back of winning the annual Pershore Charity Touch Rugby Festival during the summer, a local event in aid of Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
There, they won all five matches, scoring 31 tries and only conceding five.
Looking ahead, there are upcoming games against Police Scotland Saltires and a mixed side from Greater Manchester Police and Lancashire Police.
And the team is always looking for new recruits to the playing side and its backroom staff.
Dave said: “If anyone wants to come and train with us or come and get a feel for what the sport is then please give me a shout.”
Find out more about the crowdfunder, including how to donate.
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