Horsham boosted by £75,000 grant and Legacy Centre status

To support this new honour a grant of £75,000 will be used to build new changing rooms at the club and strengthen the partnership with the RFU.

The grant will enhance the club’s facilities and provide a resource for use by the local community.

The World Cup in 2015 provided rugby union with the platform to grow participation across all areas of the game. As a legacy of the event the focus turns to maintaining that growth and retaining those new players.

“The new facilities will improve the quality of the rugby experience for everyone using the site and provide more playing opportunities, especially for local people in the 14-24 age-group,” said RFU area facilities manager Rick Bruin.

“This investment will also support the club’s financial sustainability and will create a lasting rugby union legacy for rugby in the community. The building of new changing rooms 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 Alan Croucher, said: “We are delighted that our project has won approval following its original identification by the RFU. This investment in our club forms part of our long-term plan for the continued development of our facilities.

“We would also like to publicly thank Melanie Stowell and Ian Ford, from Horsham District Council, and county and local councillors, Morwen Millson, Godfrey Newman, Diane Sumpter and Brad Watson for their support in making this happen.”

“This investment by the RFU is excellent news,” said MP Jeremy Quin. “Horsham Rugby Club has a fantastic membership base and an enthusiastic group of hard-working volunteers and this funding will enable them to do even more for young people in the community in the future.”