About
Croydon continues facilities improvements
£250,000 spent on clubhouse and pitch improvements over 5 years.
By 2008 Croydon Rugby Football Club will have spent £250,000 on improving the clubhouse and playing facilities.
New equipment in the shower and changing area; new catering equipment and furniture ; a new space heating system in the bar, Shirley Hall function room and Croydonian meeting room; a re-equipped bar; re-laid new floodlit pitch with an effective underground drainage system; a floodlit training area to relieve over-usage of the new pitch.
A regular annual maintenance programme will keep both the playing surfaces and clubhouse facilities in good condition.
This has all been made possible by astute financial planning overseen by the Club Management Committee supported by a healthy facilities lettings programme enjoyed by members of the local community when celebrating special family occasions. Financial support from the Rugby Football Union in terms of an interest free £50,000 loan in 2005, a Community Club Development Programme grant of £30,000 in the same year and regular annual groundmatch grants of £5,000 rising to £6,000 in recent years.
The Club is also indebted to the Old Croydonian Trustees for their generous financial support following the sale of their former freehold ground after their decision to join Croydon RFC. Over £100,000 has been raised by the Club members during this period using a mixture of subscriptions, an active 200 Club, gift-aided donations by former members, sponsorship by local firms and an imaginative social programme supported by all ages.
A Summer Ball in 2007 was also held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Club, well supported by members old and new.
The growth of the Club’s successful junior teams starting with one junior U16 side some ten years ago and now consisting of an active tag rugby group of boys and girls under the age of 10, and five age group teams from U12s to U17s has seen a healthy increase in adult members anxious to support their children in a healthy sporting environment.
In 2006 the Club were awarded the RFU community rugby Seal of Approval for junior development and aim to achieve the year two award by early 2008.
The Management Committee believe this ambitious programme was necessary for the Club senior sides to maintain their position as a top Surrey club and possibly progress to higher levels of playing achievement in the future.
Management Committee November, 2007.
