Worcester Warriors, like many other businesses in the country, are having to deal with circumstances that are unprecedented in peacetime with the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Our first priority is the safety of the whole Warriors family including Warriors staff and players, supporters, our families, friends and the wider community. It is important we trust and follow the latest advice from the Government and Public Health England carefully. Although most of us will be ok it is important we take this very seriously and stay safe.
Among the measures we have put in place is a temporary lockdown of Sixways during the five-week period that matches played under the auspices of Premiership Rugby are postponed.
That clearly presents challenges for the running of the business, in particular cash-flow.
It is important that we make decisions now to ensure that, when we emerge from this dreadful crisis, we still have a sustainable rugby club to serve as the heart of our local community with the continuing strong support from the whole Warriors Family.
The owners, Board and Senior Managers are working around-the-clock to leave no stone unturned in finding solutions which will include accessing any financial assistance available through the Government schemes, which were announced earlier this week and further clarified expected shortly.
We are in constant dialogue with Premiership Rugby, our fellow Premiership clubs as well as organisations in other sports including football to ensure we have the most comprehensive information available.
We have long-term plans to make the club sustainable through the development of the Sixways site which is making real progress with the support of our local authority.
In the short-term all our staff will take a 25 per cent pay cut effective from April 1.
The 25 per cent reduction will not apply to staff below a certain salary threshold to ensure they are protected. We have offered as much support as we can to any member of staff who may suffer particular hardship as a consequence.
We appreciate this is not an ideal situation for anyone but we hope that with the support of our loyal and dedicated staff in these difficult and challenging times that we can manage our way through this period.
Our aim is to plan for the day in the near future when we re-open the gates of Sixways to a full house where we can all enjoy cheering on the boys and the dizzying highs and lows that come with it.
In the meantime we hope that everyone stays safe.
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