Waterloo have made a rugby World first, after members of the website have personally stumped up the cash for director of Rugby Steve Moore to sign a much needed prop.
The club has signed a new prop to bolster their National Division 2 North campaign, using funds provided by the groundbreaking www.mywaterloorugby.com website.
The website is a first in rugby, with mywaterloorugby.com members making commercial decisions every week and even picking the team.
Also including a fantasy managers competition, a fans forum, online shop and videos of every match - all for a £25 seasonal subscription.
The new venture has already made a major impact at the club with weekly votes on commercial matters including
* choosing the playing kit (in another rugby first, the design includes the names of all club members and mywaterloorugby.com members in small print, resulting in record replica sales so far)
* voting for free entry at home games (which has more than doubled the crowds and net takings)
* voting to introduce a members smartcard system in the bar allowing dual pricing for members and non-members and improving cashflow
And now mywaterloorugby.com have provided funding to enable the club to sign their first top class prop.
This money has not come from the members' £25 subscription fee, but out of their own back pockets.
Tighthead Keni Barrett, 31, has played at the highest level in New Zealand, including appearing for Manawatu against the British Lions in 2005, before making his home in the UK.
Keni is clearly up for the challenge, saying: "As soon as I arrived at Waterloo it felt right, there's a real club atmosphere and huge enthusiasm to succeed. There's a big challenge ahead this season for sure, but I can't wait to get stuck in."
So far this season, Waterloo's young and mobile pack have performed very well in the loose, winning plenty of turnover ball, but they have struggled at times to win good quality first phase ball.
More beef upfront could clearly make all the difference as Waterloo
Director of Rugby Steve Moore said: "With 20 man match squads in our league, which must include replacement props, I need four props fit and available for the first team every week and another three in the 2nd XV pushing hard for their places.
"With three front rows on every bench in the top two leagues, really good props have become a rare and valuable commodity.
"This funding has enabled us to significantly strengthen our squad. Without it I simply didn't have the budget to get more players so it's fair to say that without mywaterloorugby.com these signings just wouldn't have happened."
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