The Newport High School Old Boys RFC club is currently facing unprecedented turmoil due to substantial flooding inflicted by Storm Bert, leading to severe damage to their facilities. This unfortunate event marks a significant hardship for the club, especially considering that a similar calamity occurred in 2020, from which they have yet to fully recover. The club’s inability to secure comprehensive insurance coverage during that previous flooding has left them vulnerable to the recent disaster. Eleri Jackson, a 20-year-old player on the club’s ladies’ team, expressed the deep sense of loss felt within the community. Arriving at the club, she found it once again submerged in water, echoing the sentiments of despair and helplessness, “For it to be ruined again within four years, we’re absolutely gutted,” she stated.
In the wake of this crisis, Eleri and her teammates are seeking to depend on the compassion and generosity of others within the community to help rectify the financial burden imposed by the damages, which amount to thousands of pounds. She elaborated on the impact of the destruction on the coaching staff and fellow players, lamenting the extensive damage to essential equipment, as fridges and other electrical items became victims of the floodwaters. The furniture has also been compromised, leaving the club in a precarious situation regarding its operations.
As the club contemplates its next steps, it reveals that nearly £2,500 has already been raised within just 24 hours through an online fundraising campaign initiated by Eleri. This effort marks the beginning of what may be critical for securing the funds required for refurbishing and restoring the premises. Neil Short, the club’s chairman, disclosed that although they possess some building insurance, he has scrutinized the policy only to find that the damage incurred by the storm will not be covered. “We’ve got some building cover but after looking through the small print, we’re not covered for any of the damage on this one,” Short remarked, emphasizing the dire financial implications of this situation.
The anticipation of further fundraising endeavors is complicated by the proximity of the holiday season when individuals and families may have constrained budgets. As Short articulated, “Maybe over the next few weeks we can think about doing some fundraisers but with Christmas coming up, people are not going to have a lot of money so I think we’re just going to have to suck it and see. It’s devastating.” The heart-wrenching reality is underscored by his acknowledgment that while the club enjoys support from sponsors, maintaining viability is becoming increasingly challenging in light of recurring extreme weather events.
In a broader context, businesses across Wales, similar to the Newport rugby club, have suffered significant damages due to the storms. David Kyle, a business owner from Nantgarw, found his marketing office inundated after the river Taff overflowed. He, like others, expressed trepidation about filing claims with their insurance companies, fearing escalating premiums would ensue. The repeated pattern of storm-related issues highlights the fragility of infrastructure and the imperative nature of solid flood defenses.
Louise Clark from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) calls for greater investment from the government to enhance flood defense mechanisms. “The insurance industry can only do so much,” she declared, asserting the importance of maintaining existing flood defenses while investing in new ones. First Minister Eluned Morgan also recognized the extensive investments made to safeguard communities following prior storms while simultaneously acknowledging the stark reality of climate change and its implications for future protective measures – essentially admitting that not every home or business can be guaranteed protection against flooding in the future.
In conclusion, the Newport High School Old Boys RFC saga serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by communities in the wake of natural disasters. While the spirit of resilience prevails, it also highlights the pressing need for systemic change in how we prepare for and respond to climate-related adversities. The heartfelt efforts of individuals like Eleri Jackson stand testament to community solidarity, but effective protective measures are vital for long-term stability and security against the ravages of climate change.
