Major Boost for Rugby Club

Southwell Rugby Club proudly opened their new Clubhouse this month. The new £500,000 facility was officially launched by RFU President Jonathan Dance and Robert Jenrick MP.

The club also announced that it has been chosen by the Rugby Football Union to become a Lead Up and Legacy Centre for the 2015 Rugby World Cup which is being staged in England and Wales.

Supporting the choice of Southwell as a Legacy Centre is a grant of £45,000 which will be used to provide new changing rooms and club house facilities at the club and confirm a partnership between the RFU and club to be Fit for 2015.

The grant, together with generous support from the Rugby Football Foundation, Sport England, Southwell Town Council, Southwell Rotary Club, Nottinghamshire County Council and Greene King Brewery, will enhance the club’s facilities and provide a resource for use by the local community.

It is hoped the Clubhouse redevelopment will help the club raise its profile and encourage more players, volunteers and spectators to share the special values that distinguish the sport.

Club Chairman, Tom Craig, said: “We are delighted that our project has won approval following its original identification by Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire RFU. The executive committee are very proud of the new clubhouse, from what started as a dream and a conversation over a pint in the old club, followed by a great deal of hard work by everyone involved, we have created a legacy.

“There are so many people to thank, but we would particularly like to thank our main contractor UCD from Southwell, who without their complete support we would not have been able to complete this project in record time. We will now have some of the best facilities in the area that local people from Southwell and the surrounding villages can use during the week. The 2015 Rugby World Cup will inspire a new wave of people of all ages to become involved in rugby and this RFU investment will help our club to be even better equipped to welcome newcomers.”

Southwell is one of many clubs across England benefitting from investment through the RFU Lead Up and Legacy fund. To find out more go to www.rfu.com/betterfacilities.