Always on
This project successfully funded on 21st May 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
Abbey Park Community Project
Walsall, West Midlands, United Kingdom
Aim
Build a safe and secure community multi-sports ground for players aged 6+ to enjoy active play in a welcoming environment.
Who are we?
We are Rushall Village Football Club CIC - a grassroots, not-for-profit children’s football club based in the heart of the West Midlands. More than just a football club, we are a growing community movement with a mission: to make sport, education, and opportunity accessible to every child, regardless of background or income.
Our primary goal is to provide free and affordable football sessions for local children, creating a safe, inclusive space where they can play, learn, and thrive. But our vision goes far beyond the pitch.
We work in one of the most deprived areas in the region, and we’re committed to tackling the challenges our community faces head-on. Through football, we aim to:
- Promote healthy, active lifestyles and mental wellbeing.
- Reduce anti-social behaviour by offering positive pathways and structured activities.
- Deliver free educational workshops, job search support, and accredited qualifications.
- Empower young people with confidence, teamwork, and life skills that last far beyond match day.
Every pound raised helps us expand our reach, improve our facilities, and offer even more life-changing opportunities to children and families who need them most. With your support, we can continue to break down barriers and build a future where every child has the chance to shine - on and off the pitch.
Why are we crowdfunding?
Earlier this year, we proudly acquired a long-forgotten piece of land in Bloxwich: the historic Abbey Park Stadium. Once a thriving hub of local sport, the ground had sat dormant for over 15 years, buried beneath six-foot-high grass, rubble, and debris. What we inherited was not a pitch, but a challenge - and we embraced it.
Over the past few months, our volunteers, coaches, and community members have worked tirelessly to clear the site, cut back the overgrowth, and prepare the land for development. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters, we raised over £46,000 through SpaceHive. This funding allowed us to install full ground drainage across the former pitch, strip the surface back to dirt, level the terrain, and sow fresh seed to grow a brand-new grass pitch ready for play in the 2026/27 season.
This transformation marks the beginning of something special. But to truly bring Abbey Park Stadium back to life and make it a beacon of opportunity for our community, we need your help.
What’s Next: Building Infrastructure That Changes Lives
To fulfil our mission of providing free, inclusive football and education opportunities, we must now raise funds for essential infrastructure.
Changing Rooms and Facilities We plan to build modern changing rooms with showers, toilets, and a dedicated officials’ area. These facilities will allow us to welcome female players and teams, offering safe, dignified spaces that promote participation and equality in sport.
Community Clubhouse We’re also building a small but vital clubhouse - a warm, dry refuge for players and families during poor weather, and a hub for learning and support. Thanks to Walsall Council, we’ll equip the space with 21 laptops, offering free internet access for job searching, studying, and workshops. This space will host our free qualification programmes, helping local residents gain skills, confidence, and brighter futures.
Ground Lighting To extend training and match opportunities into the evenings, we need to install lighting around the pitch. This will improve safety and allow children and adults to make full use of the space, especially during the darker months.
Accessible Pathways and Driveway We’re committed to making Abbey Park Stadium welcoming for everyone. That means improving access for disabled visitors, ensuring that no one is excluded from enjoying the facilities, matches, or community events.
Every donation brings us closer to creating a space where children can play freely, adults can learn and grow, and the entire community can come together with pride. Abbey Park Stadium is more than a football ground. It is a symbol of hope, resilience, and opportunity.
How we’ll spend the money raised
With your support, we’re ready to take the next big step in transforming Abbey Park Stadium into a fully equipped, inclusive space for our players and community.
1. Changing Room and Shower Block Our first priority is to construct a dedicated changing room and shower block for our players. Thanks to the generosity of Travis Perkins, we’ve already received a donation of several pallets of bricks to kickstart the build. Now, we’re seeking funding to complete the structure itself, which is estimated to cost around £10,000 (excluding internal fittings). This facility will provide our young athletes with a safe, clean, and professional environment to prepare for matches and training, helping us raise standards and promote pride in their development.
2. Community Clubhouse Our second goal is to build a small but vital clubhouse. This space will include a kitchen, toilets, accessible facilities, and a comfortable seating area. It will serve as a warm, welcoming refuge during poor weather and a central hub for learning, connection, and support. Whether it’s hosting workshops, offering a quiet space to study, or simply bringing people together, the clubhouse will be a cornerstone of our mission to create a club that’s open to all.
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Lastly, we will install lighting around the ground and around the pathways to create a lit, safe and inclusive ground for all.
Community impact
Social Inclusion and Opportunity
- Free access to sport ensures that children from all backgrounds, especially those in deprived areas, can participate without financial barriers.
- Female-friendly facilities open the door for girls and women to engage in football, promoting gender equality and expanding local representation in sport.
- Accessible pathways and infrastructure mean that disabled individuals can attend, participate, and feel truly included.
Education and Personal Growth
- The clubhouse with laptops and internet access becomes a vital resource for job seekers, students, and those pursuing qualifications.
- Workshops and free training programmes offer pathways into employment, coaching, and personal development - especially for those who may not have access elsewhere.
Safety and Wellbeing
- Structured activities and safe spaces help reduce anti-social behaviour by giving young people positive outlets and role models.
- Lighting and shelter improve safety and comfort, allowing the ground to be used year-round and into the evenings.
Community Cohesion
- The stadium becomes a hub for connection, where families, volunteers, and residents gather not just for football, but for shared experiences and support.
- Events, matches, and workshops foster local pride and unity, strengthening relationships across generations and backgrounds.
Economic and Civic Impact
- The project creates volunteering and employment opportunities, from coaching to construction.
- It attracts local sponsorships and council support, demonstrating civic trust and investment in grassroots leadership.
- The revitalisation of Abbey Park Stadium enhances the local landscape, turning a neglected space into a vibrant, functional asset.
How you can play your part
We’re building something special - a community space where children can thrive, families can connect, and opportunities grow. Here’s how you can be part of it:
1. Make a Pledge: Every donation, big or small, brings us closer to our goal. If you’re planning to support us, don’t wait - early momentum is crucial and helps inspire others to join in.
2. Spread the Word: Share our project with your friends, family, and followers on social media. The more people who hear about our mission, the more hearts we can reach - and the more support we’ll gather.
3. Offer a Reward: Are you a local business or creative? You can donate a product, service, or experience that we’ll offer as a reward to our supporters. It’s a great way to get involved, give back, and receive a public thank-you from us.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made