Portsmouth Rugby Club

Next season will be our 60th at Rugby Camp. In that time we’ve grown from a small club in a wooden, ex-military building, to the prefabricated building – now the Junior Clubhouse – and on to the purpose built building which we call home today. However, time has come to consider what future we can
provide for players of the next 60 years.

**Big plans**

A planning application was submitted to Portsmouth Council and approved in early 2014 looking to:
Refurbish the changing facilities
Improve and increase upstairs toilet facilities
Provide a purpose-built gym
Replace the Junior Clubhouse
Improve the kitchen
Extend the viewing balcony to the full width of both clubhouses
Improve screening and sound mitigation to limit our impact on our neighbours

**Development of the sporting facilities**

As well as our building plans, we are also in discussion for an all-weather 3G pitch and we’re talking to a number of other local sports organisations keen to collaborate and make use of such an asset, when it is not covered in rugby players.

We’ve already met with Portsmouth Football Club who are interested in leasing time on a synthetic surface so close to their new training ground in Copnor. We’re also hoping to provide facilities for American football, hockey and other sports developing our relationships with local schools, colleges and charities.

**Public consultation**

Clearly, this sort of development costs a lot of money. Fortunately, there are organisations interested in improving sports facilities, particularly those which provide a genuine benefit to their local communities.

In order to ensure that we maximise these mutual benefits, we’re in the process of undertaking a public consultation through
Ampersand UK Ltd. This will engage with stakeholders and identify the needs of the local community including residents, other sporting organisations, schools, businesses and other groups and people who might contribute to, or benefit from the project.

**Forward momentum**

Following the public consultation the fundraising will begin. We’ll be working with experienced fundraisers who have very generously agreed to take part and will be looking at a broad
spectrum of corporate, charitable and individual funding options.

However, it is important to understand that charity begins at home and a number of funding events are planned, together with opportunities for individuals, to buy into the project in an
affordable way – memorialising overall project.

**Beyond this...**

You are encouraged to take part at an individual level as well as a community!

If you have any particular skills, thoughts, fundraising ideas, contacts or suggestions, or if you simply have a question please get in touch at development@portsmouthrugbyclub.co.uk