LYMM RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE SURVEY FEEDBACK REPORT April 2014
1. Introduction In October 2013 Lymm RFC were awarded a grant by the RFU to replace the aged floodlights around pitch 1 at Beechwood, Crouchley Lane. This grant provided 50% of the total cost of the floodlight project - 68,000 - with the rest being provided by the club from funds raised through our ongoing Grass Roots Sports appeal. The results of this investment are now evident with a significantly improved outside training environment for all teams to take advantage of during the winter months. The quality of the new lighting system not only reduces our future running costs but will also allow competitive matches to be played in the evenings. This will be a new experience for our club and also a potential new source of income towards our fund raising activities. To comply with the conditions of the grant, we were requested by the RFU to ask Members and visitors to complete a simple questionnaire regarding the Quality of Experience that they received at Lymm RFC. The questionnaire was undertaken on-line and a link to the questionnaire was emailed to all members in December 2013 and also posted on the club web site. The timing of the questionnaire was opportune as it also coincided with the launch of our latest infrastructure investment activity, our Clubhouse Development project. The results of the survey provide valuable early input from our members to inform our thinking regarding some of the areas we will have to consider as part of the long term development of our infrastructure. This report provides feedback from the Quality of Experience survey. 2. Survey questionnaire structure The survey questionnaire was split into two sections. Section 1 consisted of 6 questions and section 2 provided an opportunity for members to provide specific comments regarding their views and their experiences. These comments are included within Appendix 2. Questions include within Section 1 were; Q1.1 Is the club a place for someone like me? Q1.2 Are there clean modern clubhouse facilities? Q1.3 Is the service of staff and volunteers friendly? Q1.4 Is there quality Food and Beverage? Q1.5 Is the Club/site good for my Community? Q1.6 Do you look forward to going there? 2
Respondents were asked to rate each question on a scale of 1 to 4, with 1 being the lowest and 4 being the highest. In compiling this report these rates have been interpreted as; 1 Disagree 2 Tend to Disagree 3 Tend to Agree 4 Agree 3. Survey response rate Overall 185 members/visitors accessed the on-line survey tool and completed the survey. This response rate is excellent and compares very favourably with similar surveys carried out by other clubs within the RFU. Within section 1 all 185 respondents answered all 6 questions. Within section 2, 64 out of the 185 respondents made specific comment regarding the quality of their experience or the club in general. 4. Survey Results Overall Results Figure 1; Overall Results 3
Figure 1 presents the responses to questions in section 1 where respondents Agree or Tend to Agree with the question. The overall results indicate a high quality of experience in most areas with the quality of the actual clubhouse facilities, Q1.2, being the area of most concern. This is not unexpected and supports the need for our Clubhouse Development Project which is aimed at addressing the issues associated with our facilities. Ranked responses Responses to the questions in section 1 were ranked in the order of those questions receiving the most positive responses. Figure 2; Ranked Responses Assessment of the ranked scores indicates that the experience received by members/visitors is considered to be very good in the majority of areas, i.e. questions receiving a score >3. Question 1.2, Are there clean modern clubhouse facilities?, being the area where most respondents expressed a concern, i.e. score <2.5. Analysis of the responses to Question 2 provides further insight in to the reasons for theses response as presented in section 5 below. 4
5. Summary of Results Head Line Results; The most positive responses from members and visitors to these questions were; 97% of respondents believe Lymm RFC is good for their community 94% of respondents enjoy visiting Lymm RFC 94% of respondents believe the service of staff and volunteers is friendly 92% of respondents believe the club is a place for someone like them 82% of respondents believe there is quality food and beverages available to them at Lymm RFC The most negative response from members and visitors is; Only 43% of respondents see the facilities as clean and modern By combining the results to the questions answered in Section 1 and the written comments from Section 2, the following summary can be drawn; Areas of Strength; Lymm RFC makes an important contribution to the community, is a great community asset and an integral part of the local community. Lymm RFC plays a very special role in our village community, not just from the perspective of rugby but also from the social aspect of what it provides. Lymm RFC is at the heart of the community for young people and families. Lymm RFC is a true volunteer managed community club that is amateur in status but professional and ambitious in outlook A great multi-sport club that adds a lot to the community Our club steward, Rick Condo and his team of staff are seen as a key factor to the success of Lymm RFC off the pitch as are the team of volunteers who actively support the club Lymm RFC appeals to a broad range of ages from Kids in the M&J section to our more mature members who have enjoyed the club for decades. Lymm RFC is a great place, very welcoming to all and assists in helping new people to the area to become part of the local community more easily The quality of the pitches and the quality of the coaching is highlighted as a key strength of the club. The quality of the Squash courts is also highlighted as a positive factor with an interest of squash players to become more involved in the club. 5
Player development at all ages is highlighted as a positive factor with 4 current premiership players and 1 current international player highlighted as progressing from our enthusiastic M&J section and through our senior teams. The quality of food provided at Lymm RFC was recognised as the best I have ever tasted Areas for Improvement; The most obvious area for improvement highlighted by this questionnaire is that of our Clubhouse infrastructure and facilities, Q1.2. Responses to the questionnaire recognise that the facilities are not modern and in need of significant rennovation and that the current standard of our facilities creates a difficult environment for our staff to maintain. Specific areas highlighted in respondents comments were; The club looks dated and is no longer fit for purpose with the increasing number of members at all levels and in all sections,i.e Senior, M&J, Touch, Hockey, Squash etc The clubhouse is in need of updating and modernising to match the pitches and enhance its role specific areas highlighted for improvement are; toilets, changing facilities and catering facilities Respondents recognised the need for improvement to enhance the cleanliness of the club facilities and create an enviroment to improve the quality of catering provided. To all members and visitors who completed the questionnaire, thank you! Your views and feedback are very much appreciated and will be used to inform our ideas as we move forwards with our Clubhouse Development project. John Cartwright Chairman - Lymm RFC April 2014 6
Appendix 1; Frequency Data for questions in Section 1 The following bar charts provide a more detailed view of the responses to each question in section 1. Figure 3; Q1.1 Is the Club a place for someone like me? Figure 4; Q1.2 Are there clean Modern clubhouse facilities? 7
Figure 5; Q1.3 Is the service of staff and volunteers friendly? Figure 6; Q1.4 Is there quality food and beverages? 8
Figure 7; Q1.4 Is the Club/site good for my Community? Figure 8; Q1.4 Do you look forward to going there? 9
Appendix 2; Responses to Section 2 Other Comments Ref. Response 1 Changing facilities inadequate for range of sports activities supported. 2 I was playing at winnington for the 4th xv recently and was talking to old team mates of my father's based at park. They told me of the woes of their club and their envy of us having such a vibrant club. The main reason they pointed out for our success was rick condo. On reflection I have to agree that along with a superb committee, junior section and membership rick has worked hard to build the social and community base if the club despite extremely poor catering and bar facilities. These facilities do lead to stressful moments for rick but who can blame him? My daughter loves working for the club and my son rates Lymm rfc after match meals 'the best he has ever tasted!' Many thanks to rick and especially jc and the comitee for their tireless work with our beloved club. Matt rooney 3 Having been a member for 45 years, and spent more time in the club than with my family, whatever development comes next better be good! 4 Looks dated and isn't fit for purpose with increasing number of members (including juniors) 5 A fantastic community facility. 6 This is a totally amateur rugby club that concentrate all it's energy s and fund raising to improve the facilities, join with the community in many areas. The club has recently produced 4 current premiership and one current international players via its enthusiastic mini and junior section which currently provides weekend rugby for almost 400 registered members through its excellent team of qualified coaches. There is a fantastic community engagement. 7 A fantastic community club which I am delighted to support. 8 is great place, very welcoming to all 9 The facilities that the Club now has are excellent and has made a huge positive impact for the played. What I take away from the club is the great set of members that we have which make it a real pleasure to be a member of the Club 10 The club adds heart to the village of Lymm. 11 The clubhouse is in need of modernisation and updating. 12 Kitchen offers limited food but external catering good 13 Lymm RFC makes important contributions to the local community and the coaching staff is of extremely high quality teaching the boys more than just Rugby but indeed manners, discipline and life skills. 14 Clubhouse requires major refurb and extension or new building to accommodate our large and growing membership - Seniors, Touch and M&J 15 none 16 Site needs modernisation. 17 Overall volunteers and especially the coaches at Lymm are excellent devoting their own time to support and develop the team which is always positive and encouraging that really helps the kids enjoy their rugby. The quality of coaching at Lymm is the best I have seen in the north west. Communication with parents is great who are always 10
engaged in decisions. 18 Facilities are clean but not modern hence the 2 19 Club house clean - just looking tired. 20 Great community asset with fabulous pitches. Clubhouse needs updating to match pitches and enhance its role 21 The club has a master plan; the new pitches were the start, its off pitch facilities both playing and non-playing will be our next focus. 22 Needs Money spending on it as the facilities and access are very poor and the increase in usage has put too much strain on the whole operation. The staff need to be more professional. 23 Grounds at Lymm are very nice. The clubhouse is too small and requires investment; to improve the club, toilets. 24 This is a fantastic club /group of people to be involved with. They need more local media support (newspapers) as it has fantastic set up to cover all age groups. 25 It is a great multi sport club and those sports add a lot to the community. 26 The club need modernising. 27 the club offers a very high standard of rugby at all levels but also a great social scene with friendly staff. the club is in need of some improvements but volunteers are working hard to fundraise and facilitate these changes. 28 Having never played rugby, becoming a social member due to two of my sons playing, I have found Lymm Rugby Club a vibrant organisation which welcomes all, irrespective of whether they played rugby. My perception is that it is a "blue-print" on how a community rugby club should be organised and the number of chidren who turn up on Sunday's to play mini and junior rugby is a testament of the success of the Club's ethos to provide a community sport. 29 It is a fantastic club servicing the needs and wants of hundreds of children and adults in a great community. I am proud to be a player, a parent of junior players, a coach and a member of this institution. 30 All positive. Great Club to be part of. Playing, coaching Juniors, and now a member. 31 Clubhouse is dated but has heaps of character. Pitches are outstanding, with floodlights being the only required update. Changing rooms need updating. 32 Nice friendly people good atmosphere 33 The clubhouse was originally a stables and coach house for the now demolished Beechwood Hall. So re the 2nd comment above it is not a modern building hence the 2 rating. It does however have a unique charachter, loved by us all but is expensive to maintain and now struggling to cope with the demands of a growing senior and M&J membership. 34 I feel it would be beneficial to the club and its members to modernise the clubhouse facilities 35 A true volunteer managed, community club that is amateur in status but ambitious in outlook. 36 Lymm Rfc is recognised as a proper rugby club with a great atmosphere by all our visiting clubs 37 Tired facilities in clubhouse 38 Becoming involved in the club has made me part of the Lymm community after moving 11
to the area. 39 Excellent Club and the most welcoming of places. 40 I have been a member at Lymm Rugby Club since 1967 and it has been a part of my life ever since. I met my wife there and we always brought our family along. It is very much a family oriented club with a unique atmosphere. I have never tired of going there. 41 I am an ex player now over 70 who watches Lymm. It is a great amateur club. The pitches are fantastic! 42 With the increasing lack of sport at most school, pubs like this is essential to provide the foundation for the national teams. Lymm Rugby club is a great place and I would recommend to anyone. 43 At the heart of the community for young people and families 44 We have outstanding pitches, somewhat old facilities, outstanding people who attract over 400 youngsters to play the game. 45 An amazing place, this is what a real Rugby Club looks and feels like. 46 "Clean" and "modern! should not be in the same question. The club is clean but not modern. How should I answer? 47 A fantastic community club that is moving forward and trying to make improvements to facilities. 48 Lymm rugby club is truly at the heart of Lymm 49 The capacity to make good food is very limited so I have to mark it down. This is due to circumstance rather than the staff though. 50 The clubhouse is full of character but in need of investment. 51 Quite expensive food and drink. Not enough choice / variety, especially for children after their matches On the plus side, the club do now allow the children to have a complimentary after match snack, even if they were training rather than playing that week 52 The clubhouse is in need of renovation 53 The Club is an integral part of the community. The clubhouse is an old building, with character features, rather than an impersonal modern building. 54 Along with all the squash section members, I would like to be part of a viable and revitalised squash section and favour further integration into the club rather than to be developed out, which is the current stated / favoured aim of the exec. 55 Club house requires over haul! 56 Great club 57 A great community club. Whilst the clubhouse needs investment and, probably, a significant overhaul to cope with the number of people who now use it, it is the contribution of its volunteers and the spirit of its membership that makes Lymm RFC what it is - the envy of many for what it has achieved, and a great example of others. A truly successful amateur community club. 58 Changing rooms need updating 59 The coaches are extremely dedicated 60 Only the age and condition of the club house facilities (whilst clean) prevent this club from being a straight 4 score in the survey 12
61 Lymm Rugby Club plays a very special role in our village community, not just from the team spirit from the Rugby, but from the social aspect too. Well done to all those that play a part in running the club and club house, let's hope it continues for a long time to come! 62 Lymm is a fantastic club. My son plays for the junior colts and the sheer number of children/youth teams playing on a Sunday is magnificent. It is a real community asset. 63 It is a great place for old and young to be and a vital part of our community. 64 Like rugby but I am personally a Squash Player and we have two really good courts. As Squash players we do use the bar facilities and Rick and his team do a super job looking after our needs. 65 Like rugby but I am personally a Squash Player and we have two really good courts. As Squash players we do use the bar facilities and Rick and his team do a super job looking after our needs. 13