FOOTBALL: AFTER over 18 months of planning and fundraising the fantastic new 3G community pitch at Kilsby Lane was officially opened last Friday.
A day of celebration was held at the venue which saw local dignitaries, including Mayor Sally Brag as well as regional and national FA officials and members of the local media. Even the Norwegian girls’ international side were in attendance.
“We have been progressing this project for the last 18 months and we are delighted that thousands of people will be using the facility which is a boost for Sport in the Town,” said Rugby Town JFC chairman Liam Coulter.
“There has been a few blips along the way but we got there. Two people stand out in the delivery of this project, and I would like to personally thank them for their hours upon hours of work they are Brian Crinigan and Jason Morris.
“The detail and planning as well as coordinating the funding applications was outstanding and how it all suddenly fitted into place.”
The project was funded by seven different organisations including Sport England who contributed £371,000 and WREN put £50,000 towards the project, while the state-of-the-art pitch was constructed by SIS (UK).
On officially opening the pitch, Rugby MP Mark Pawsey praised the club for being a ‘real community asset’ and he said how easy it was for him ‘to stand up in Parliament and shout about all the good things Rugby Town Juniors is doing in Rugby’.
He also highlighted how the club is able to bring together people of all ages from the local community through a shared passion for sport which is helping to keep young people in particular fit and healthy.
Rugby Town JFC currently run 60 teams from Under-7 to Under-18 level and has links with the Strachan Football Foundation Education programme.
The club also run girls and ladies teams as well as walking football along with a new disability section which is supported and funded by the County FA.
The club also runs teams in the Midland Junior Premier League on a Saturday in partnership with Future pro.
The pitch adds to the current facilities of two smaller astro turf pitches and 18 grass pitches.
