FOOTBALL: Official opening of Kilsby Lane community pitch

MP Mark Pawsey unveils plaque at £500k project
MP Mark Pawsey and Rugby Town JFC Chairman Liam Coulter at Friday's official opening PICTURES BY BRIAN DAINTYMP Mark Pawsey and Rugby Town JFC Chairman Liam Coulter at Friday's official opening PICTURES BY BRIAN DAINTY
MP Mark Pawsey and Rugby Town JFC Chairman Liam Coulter at Friday's official opening PICTURES BY BRIAN DAINTY

After 18 months planning and fundraising the fantastic new 3G community pitch at Kilsby Lane was officially opened by Rugby MP Mark Pawsey on Friday.

It was day of celebration, with the Norwegian international girls’ squad attending, as well as Rugby Town JFC teams, with the highlight being a game of walking football.

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Rugby Town JFC chairman Liam Coulter explained: “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.

Girls training on the new pitchGirls training on the new pitch
Girls training on the new pitch

“I have sat in meetings sometimes five times a week to get this right and funded. There have 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 co-ordinating the funding applications was outstanding and how it all suddenly fitted into place. I can get a good night’s sleep now!

“The project which was funded from seven different organisations is testament to the hard work that was put in. How they managed it I do not know. What it has left is a state of the art community football pitch that will be a fantastic addition to the already impressive Kilsby Lane sports hub. It’s a truly remarkable achievement by all.”

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Funding has come from: Sport England £371k, WREN £50k, Rugby Benevolent Fund £8k, Garfield 5k, Bernard Sunley 2k, Heart of England 2k, Rugby Borough Council 1k and then the club’s own fundraising efforts, including the Rugby Half Marathon and Spring Fair Bottle Stall.

The completed pitch at nightThe completed pitch at night
The completed pitch at night

The goals were also purchased with these grants, with Nationwide Windows providing funding for an additional set of 9 v 9 goals.

Coulter also praised their magnificent main sponsors Nationwide Windows and McDonalds, who have sponsored the two banners at both ends of the pitch.

“They are special companies that have supported this football club for years,” he added. “We would like to thank Daryl Cashmore and his team at Nationwide Windows along with Glyn Pashley and his team at McDonalds for the outstanding and on going contribution they have given this football club.”

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The pitch was constructed by SIS (UK) World leaders in artificial pitches and a company on the Sport England and Football Foundation framework.

Rugby Town JFC officials with project funders and supportersRugby Town JFC officials with project funders and supporters
Rugby Town JFC officials with project funders and supporters

Jason Morris continued: “There have been several changes to the original specification and SIS and in particular Cameron Thompson the project manager has provided the club with a world class FIFA 2 Star surface, which can be used for Conference games.

“They have been very accommodating and we are all delighted by the build and the excellent service given. A special mention must go to Brian Dainty, the club’s photographer who visited the site on day 1 and every day up to day 79 taking a daily photograph to put on a slide show which can be viewed on the main page of the club’s website www.rugbytownfc.co.uk or the twitter feed @RUGBY_TOWN_JFC or the club’s Facebook page.”

The official opening day was attended by local dignitaries including Rugby’s Mayor Cllr Sally Bragg, the Leader of Rugby Borough Council Michael Stokes and councillors from the local area. Regional and National FA officials were also present as well as Allison Orr (WCAVA) and members of the local media.

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Mark Pawsey, Rugby MP, in his opening speech praised the club for being a real community asset and said how easy it was for him to stand up in Parliament and shout about all the great things that happen in Rugby and one of those things is unquestionably Rugby Town Juniors Football Club.

Under 7s enjoying the new surfaceUnder 7s enjoying the new surface
Under 7s enjoying the new surface

Mr Pawsey 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.

“At a time when the government agenda is all about getting youngsters to be more active, to be fitter and stronger and enjoy the benefits of team sport, the fact you have so many people down here throughout the week and at weekends is absolutely brilliant. You have a wonderful surface here and it’s a brilliant asset to the town,” he said.

Sport England property director, Charles Johnston, said: “Thankfully as a nation we are becoming more active. Meeting this demand can be challenging, but thanks to £371,000 of National Lottery funding we can help Rugby Town Junior Football Club offer the kind of sporting experience that local people want.”

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Joe Newby, WREN’s grant manager for Warwickshire, said: “It’s always nice to see something we have funded in full use and a asset to the community. We’re delighted to be supporting such a worthwhile project and look forward to it benefiting such a wide range of community and sports groups across Rugby.”

Olly Hitchcock Facilities Manager at the County FA added: “We would like to congratulate Rugby Town Juniors on the opening of their new 3G pitch.

“It is a great testament to the hard work of all those involved who have made this project happen. This will help sustain the club allowing it to develop for many years to come, providing local footballers with a fantastic facility to play and train at.”

Walking football at the official opening on FridayWalking football at the official opening on Friday
Walking football at the official opening on Friday

The club currently runs 60 teams from U7 to U18, links in to the Strachan Football Foundation Education programme and runs a reception and year 1 Tangos programme, with over 70 boys currently training with that group.

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The club also run Girls and Ladies’ teams and have a Walking Football team along with a new disability section, which started off on Tuesday and 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 and are looking to extend it with U11 and U12 teams next season.

Leisure Leagues, a leading national six-a-side company, run a popular Sunday night league with 16 adult teams currently taking part. The pitch adds to the current facilities of two smaller astro turf pitches and 18 grass pitches.

Coulter concluded: “There is a community feel about the place now, a family atmosphere which was never there before. We are delighted by the uptake in slots for usage and the amounts of good positive feedback.”

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