SUSSEX RUGBY UNION COUNTY FACILITY PLAN 2011 - 2017
Sussex Rugby Union County Facilities Plan – Years 3 and 4 from April 2011 to April 2013, Year 5 - April 2013 to April 2014, Year 6 - April 2014 to April 2015 and years 7 and 8 April 2015 to 2017.
Years3 to 6 April 2011 to April 2015
Ditchling. Proposals made by the Club for the use of the ground in front of the pavilion are ongoing but club experiencing difficulties with other pitch users and the Parish Council. Club now considering alternative venue with car parking in Clayton Road Ditchling along side St James Cricket Club who have offered use of their clubhouse.Club seeking planning permission and change from agricultural to recreational use.Letters of support to National Parks sent by the RFU and Sussex RFU in November and December 2016.
Uckfield.New “Port a Cabin” toilet facilities completed. Application for a Groundmatch Grant successful in January 2012. Club now considering an upgrade and efficiency of their existing floodlights. An alternative proposal is being considered, namely to re- plan the clubhouse in phases with priority changes based on building costs.Preliminarydrawings for new Changing Rooms will be available shortly for consultation and possible inclusion in ther Lead Up and Legacy programme Round 6 in November 2016. Application for a Groundmatch Grant for fire escape staircase approved by the RFF in October 2016. Work completed
Hellingly. New training lights installed. Additional external storage facilities stillneeded. Pitch drainage improvements required, club to submit report and application for Sport England Protecting Playing Pitch Fund for possible funding. RFU invitation to apply for a grant under the Lead up & Legacy Round 3 Social Spaces received on the 8th November 2013. Club Aid Meeting in February 2015. Club selected for inclusion in 2015 Nat West Rugby Force programme. Club requested financial support from the RFU to cover flood damage in January 2016. Club considering new proposal to improve pitch drainage. Details and plans awaited by RFU. Club now seeking grant aid for re roofing the clubhouse and installing a fire escape staircase. RFU advising on security of tenure etcas a condition of financial aid.
St Francis.Fifty percent of the pitch is floodlit,completed in 2014with grant aid support. Pitch drainage improvements with support from the LA and the RFU to be sought and pitch maintenance re-evaluated. RFF GroundMatch funding application successful. Second priority is the development of the current changing rooms to facilitate womens rugby. Third priority to complete the floodlighting to full pitch coverage.
Hastings. Ongoing pitch maintenance programme established but extensive funding required in Years 5and 6 for sand banding, drainage and pitch improvements to the training area. RFU recommend application for a Nat West Rugby Force grant to assist funding. New storage facilities completed. Club have purchased a new set of mobile lights Internally, the club are exploring the possibility of revamping the bar and kitchen and the provision of a lift and new toilets for the disabled. Club to apply for Social Spaces Grant. Club linked up with Keith Kent at Twickenham for pitch maintenance advice. Small grant secured.
Bognor. Upgrading of the existing floodlights funded by club . Groundmatch application successful on 16 Aug2013. Drawings submitted to the RFU for the storehouse extension in February 2015 and Cost Report awaited. Club now submitted drawings and tenders to the RFU for an extension to their clubhouse comprising new Youth Room and Youth Shop, extension underway self funded by the club. Further list of improvements expected soon possibly grant aid funded.
Burgess Hill. Application for a RFF Groundmatch Grant for disabled viewing platform and storage for funds successful and club notified on 8Aug2013. Project completed. Club now considering improvements to their training lights, extending the gymnasium/fitness facility and building one additional changing room. Invited to apply for a Lead up & Legacy Social Spaces grant on the 20 February 2015. Club selected for inclusion in the 2015 Nat West Rugby Force programme. Club has secured a grant from the local council for a new Durolock fence around the pitch.Club invited to make application for Groundmatch grant for new lounge floor covering.Uupgrading existing boilers is also being considered by club. Club looking at upgrading existing changing rooms or new build along rear of property. Details awaited.
Newick. Pitch improvements and additional training lights being considered. Club requires new scrummage machine for seniors and advised to seek Helping Hands Grant. Groundmatch Scheme considered appropriate for pitch improvements and training lights. Application awaited by RFU. No aid requested recently
Years 7 and 8 April2015 to April 2017
Seaford.Drawings for theextension to clubhouse to provide four new changing rooms and toilets completed and full Planning consent granted. Tenders above expected the budget so club now considering an alternative approach to refurbish the existing facilities with partnership funding. Club awarded GroundMatch grant for refurbishing the toilet facilities on 28th January 2015. Club to target the next round of funding from Sport England which will need to be submitted prior to June 2015.Invited to apply for a Lead up & Legacy Social Spaces grant on 20 February 2015. Remedial works,new suspended ceiling,flooring and new air extraction unit planned for the Kitchen.Club may seek funding in the Lead Up & Legacy Round 6 programme for 2016/17
Crawley. Negotiations with Crawley BC over clubhouse and pitches on going. Creation of a new 3G pitch on existing pitch 3 perhaps in Year 6. Club seekingcost/ design guidance and sources of funding. Extension to the present clubhouse for new gym, storage and a physio room being considered. New floodlights on pitch 1 completed funded from the Gatwick Airport Trust. Club selected for inclusion in the 2015 Nat West Rugby Force programme. Kitchen extension also being planned.
Barns Green. Possibility of leasing adjacent farmland to grow the club out of its present situation in having to use school facilities. ” New Ground’’ project plan started in August 2013.
Midhurst. Medium term plans for the relocation of pitch within the Ruins area and an extension to the referee’s changing area. Long term plans cover repairs to the roof of the Clubhouse. Details and proposal awaited.Adjacent housing development likely to take place in 2014/15. Club requiring developers to erect an adequate fence between the pitches and any new properties.
Pulborough. Recent increase in player numbers necessitating additional changing rooms now under urgent consideration.Possible inclusion in Lead up and Legacy Programme Round 6in November 2016.Report expected soon. Club seeking a grant for a new mower and training lights.
Rye. Improvements or renewal of training lights and extensive refurbishment of clubhouse planned. Building survey report awaitedRFU invitation to apply for a grant under the Lead up & Legacy Round 3 Social Spaces received on the 8th November 2013 but refused by the club. Club selected for inclusion in the 2015 Nat West Rugby Force programme. Club awarded two RFF Groundmatch Grantsfor two setsof new goal posts in December 2015 and March 2016. Roof repairs underway funded by the club. New main entrance to clubhouse being considered.
Haywards Heathnow concentrating on pitch drainage improvements and moving the first team pitch. Meeting with club on 20th May for opening discussions. Club selected for inclusion in the 2015 Nat West Rugby Force programme and has been awarded with a RFF Groundmatch Grant towards their pitch drainage project. Club have ceased discussions with Warden Park Academy for a new multi sport AWP at the school and have engaged with the MSDC over a number of issues concerning rugby.
East Grinstead. Junior Clubroom now completed. Project given County Executive support for grant aid. All weather 3G pitch now being considered. Club selected for inclusion in the 2015 Nat West Rugby Force programme. Club have registered their interest for a 3G pitch. Club considering an application for grant aid to cover the cost of necessary pitch maintenance.
Brighton.Changing room refurbishment needed and remedial work to water services required. Club to press the Brighton and Hove BC to assist with the laying of a relief road up to the clubhouse to overcome severe conjestion. In the interim the club to seek funding for filling the potholes in the service road to minimize damage to cars. .Club have reported damage to the AWP and have applied for a Groundmatch grant to repair and re-level identified areas.Club is now Rugby Groundsmen Connected for pitch improvement work and has been advised on grant facilities.
Littlehampton. Presently using school facilities but growth of membership retarded. Post protectors, new mobile training lights and scrummage machine needed. Club to apply fora RFF Helping Hands Grant for the post protectors and the lights. Submission awaited. Club advised to apply for an RFU Helping Hands grant for new goal posts. Submission awaited
Plumpton. Club planning improvements to showers. Club awarded a Helping Hands Grant for the new goal posts in September 2015.
Worthing.‘Club Relocation Plan’ being considered. Details awaited. Club have withdrawn their preliminary proposal to apply for possible grant aid for new training lights.
Norfolk Arms. No submission for grant aided facilities improvements received recently but club now selected for inclusion in the 2015 Nat West rugby Force programme
Eastbourne. Improvements and extensions to double the size of the clubhouse planned. Report and details awaited but matchfunding needed. RFU invitation to apply for a grant under the Lead up & Legacy Round 3 Social Spaces received on the 8th November 2013 grant awarded by the RFU in August 2014 Club and Eastbourne Borough Council presently negotiating remedial work required to the clubhouse.
Crowborough. Flood lighting on lower pitch to be upgraded. RFU Lead up & Legacy award for new drainage to pitch D made by the RFU on 11th September 2014 and accepted in early October 2014. Club selected for inclusion in the 2015 Nat West Rugby Force programme. Club applied for a Helping Grant from the RFF for new rugby posts in July 2015. Club have registered their interest for a 3G pitch. Club’s application for a Groundmatch grant for the provision of pitch maintenance equipment approved in March 2016
Heathfield.Improvements to training pitch drainage under discusson and building a small clubhouse/storage unit on the Cypress Field. Club invited to apply for an RFF Groundmatch Grant. Fundraising for two extensions to the clubhouse will commence in 2016. Preliminarydrawings sent to the RFU for compliance. Increasing the area of the two car parks under discussion. RFU invitation to apply for a grant under Lead up & legacy Round 3 Social Spaces received by the club on 8th November 2013. Award granted by RFU in August 2014.
Hove. Club received invitation to apply for funding under the Lead up and Legacy Capital Programme Round 2 for Pitch maintenance works on 17August 2013. Brighton andHove City Council and the RFU agreed funding for one pitch leaving the Club to investigate further funding for the second pitch. Pitch Maintenance Programme and costs now Club’s responsibility. RFU formal offer letter detailing loan and grant amounts issued to club in May 2015.
New recovered pitches completed in the Summer of 2016.
Chichester. RFU invitation to apply for a grant under the Lead up & legacy Round 3 Social Spaces received by club on the 8th November 2013. Club awarded an RFF loan for the clubhouse extension in September 2014 and will use their Social Spaces Grant towards the cost of extending their main function room to include full disabled access, redecorations and an upgraded kitchen. Phase 1 of clubhouse extension nearing completion. Club maybe invited to seek funding for new equipment from the Lead Up & Legacy Round 6 programme for 2016/17
CinquePorts. First project for a new clubhouse at Pebsham abandoned in favour of two possible alternatives also at Pebsham. One, to takeover a part dilapidated single story building with two good adjacent pitches, or two, to join an existing local football changing room facility also with two pitches but requiring extensive earthworks and new drainage. Decision awaited.
Shoreham. Club entering new lease agreement with Local Authority for new clubhouse and pitches on advantageous terms. Present clubhouse to be demolished and rebuilt on a larger footprint using Adur DC grant aid, RFU support and Club funding. Revised Architects drawings have been submitted for compliance by the RFUin March 2015 and now waiting for further advice on build costs. Club to target the next round of funding from Sports England. Club selected for inclusion in the Nat West Rugby Force programme for 2015. Club to be invited to seek funding from the Lead Up & Legacy Round 6 programme in 2016/17.
Horsham. Club have issued a report on Phase 1 of their “Facilities Project”to improve the Changing Rooms. RFU invitation to apply for a grant under the Lead up & Legacy Round 3 Social Spaces received by the club on the 8th November 2013. Award granted by the RFU. Club now well on with fund raising for their new block of 4 new changing rooms and 2 refurbished changing rooms, planning permission having been granted. Plans, Design and Access Statement, Letters of support from the RFU, SSRR and Tanbridge House School with members Questionaire submitted to the RFU.Club selected for inclusion in the 2015 Nat West Rugby Force programmefor 2015. Club have made it known that they are to apply for a grant for floodights to host evening matches. Details awaited. Club received four tenders for four changing room extension but have now reverted to three with agreement by the RFU. Tender results submitted to the RFU and the County on 12th Decembe 2016. Applications for RFF loan and RFU Lead Up and Legacy Rnd 5 submitted and results indicated to club. Club have registered their interest in having a 3G pitch.
Lewes. Club now considering an alternative project following difficult negotiations with Lewes TC. RFU invitation to apply for a grant under the Lead up & Legacy Round 3 Social Spaces received on the 8th November 2013and club awarded grant in August 2014 RFU. Club also recommended to apply for Inspired Facilities Funding in 2015 following the failure to secure funding earlier. Discussions with Lewes DC have resolved that the Council may provide financial assistance for renovating the ground floor to provide four Changing Rooms, a Disabled Toilet and new fire escape and for providing additional funds for the renovation work on 1st Floor when ‘funds permit.’ Club may apply for additional funding to Veolia and the ECB. Club also to target the next round of funding from Sport England which will need to be submitted prior to June 2015. These first two applications maybe conditional up on the LDC confirming matched funding for the first floor work. Club selected for inclusion in the 2015 Nat West Rugby Force programme. Club and Chailey School have registered their combined interest for a 3G pitch.
RFU- 3G Artificial Grass Pitch (AWP) Strategy.
Interest in participating in this inititive for an AWP has been received from the following schools and clubs
Durrington High School, Priory School Lewes,Hurstpierpoint College,Christs Hospital Horshamand Worth School.
Similarly from Sussex clubs East Grinstead, Crawley and Haywards Heath.
The RFU Strategy outlines the criteria that the CB needs to address for a 3G pitch in the County. Meetings with the RFU have now taken place and a preliminary report as to possible 3G locations discussed.One Sussex club has been invited by the RFU to progress through the feasibility stages and assessment for an AGP at that club. Discussions ongoing.
FUNDING FOR YOUR CLUB.
Clubs will inevitably lose players if their club facilities are run down with inadequate floodlights, an antiquated clubhouse or badly drained muddy pitches. The RFF and the RFU invests in community rugby clubs,financing capital projects which improve facilities and support either the retention or growth in the number of players
Rugby Football Union Grants,Rugby Football Foundation Loans and Sport England Grants available to Sussex Clubs.NOTE:- Details of loans and grants subject to change.
Rugby Football Foundation “Groundmatch Grant Scheme” Provides easy –to –access grant funding for capital projects which contribute to the recruitment and retention of community rugby players. Applications from clubs at level 5 and below on a bi-annual basis only. Minimum grant £1,500 up to a maximum grant £5,000 with club matching the grant on a £for£ basis. All projects which qualify for a grant also qualify for an RFF loan. Cannot be used with an RFF interest free loan for the same project or with a “Helping Hand Grant.”Clubs may only apply for one grant per project.The RFF aspires to turnaround Groundmatch applications in eight weeks from submission. Download application forms or contact RFF Administration on 020 8831 7985.Call RFU rugby Development Officer and Sussex facilities Co-ordinator to discuss your project.