Elmbridge Eagles Rugby Club Ground Improvements

Aim: Elmbridge Eagles Rugby League Club is 40 years old and is currently refurbing its pitches and clubhouse to secure its 25 year lease

Elmbridge Eagles is celebrating its 40th year in 2021. It is also the only Community Rugby League Club to secure a 25-year lease at its own Rugby League Facility in the South of England. However, this lease is at risk if we can't raise enough funds to complete the ground improvement works that we are currently undergoing, and we need your support!

Introduction to the club

The 2 pitches at this facility are currently being refurbished during 2021/2022. The club currently has Rugby League teams for: 

• Mixed boys and girls: U7, U9, U11 
• Boys: U12, U14, U16 & U18s
• Girls: U14 & U16
• Adult: Men’s, Women’s, and Masters
• as well as a parents’ 'social walking touch R.L group!'

The Mens 1st team now compete in the Men’s Premier London Division, the junior and senior teams are regularly involved annually in London Finals Days and play off games. With 10 teams active from one club, Elmbridge is arguably the largest amateur community Rugby League club in the South of England.

Objectives of crowd funding

The club is looking to raise £33,333 to ensure the successful completion of the ground improvement works which it is currently undergoing. Elmbridge Borough Council is working closely with Elmbridge Eagles Rugby League Club, Sport England and the Rugby Football League to complete the ground works at the club’s home ground at Oaken Lane. 

It is intended that works will recommence in 2021/2022 to complete the initial phase of the project and then the final drainage and topsoil will complete the project and allow the grass seed to establish and complete the new sports pitches.

The funds from this campaign will also be used towards the upkeep and decorating of the clubhouse and access areas. As the work is completed on the pitches, the aim and intention is to refresh/redecorate, repair, maintain and improve the existing clubhouse (including the 4 changing rooms, bar and kitchen area).

The Covid-19 Pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic has put huge pressures on the club funds and this project has taken longer than anticipated to complete due to Covid-19 complications, but all parties are committed and working together to allow community Rugby League to restart at the earliest opportunity at Oaken Lane. 

Inclusive Club: With the newly formed Women and Girls section

The club are very proud of establishing the pioneering girls U15s team, who competed in their first ever RFL sanctioned girls contact matches during the 2021 season in London.

Mixed Primaries: U7s, U9s and U11s

The club has a thriving primaries section and despite the challenges has completed many fixtures and festivals during the 2021 season. 

Boys Under 12s & U14s

The Junior boy’s section of the club continues to expand. During this covid effected 2021 season, Elmbridge Eagles coaches have provided guest coaching support and taster sessions to 4 secondary schools, 2 primary schools, a university and a sixth form college. As part of this community involvement, the club encourages/supports young leaders from their junior and senior playing sections, giving back to the next generations by providing coaching support.

Boys Under 16s & U18s

Excess Funds

Any excess funds raised from this campaign will be used to further enhance the Oaken Lane Club House, to make it more accessible, fit for purpose into the future and more appealing to use for Rugby League and the wider community.

Pulling together in the local community and the London and the South R.L Family

During the 2021 season, Elmbridge were again pleased host various events to primary and junior R.L throughout the covid affected period to clubs across the London and the South region.

The club has aspirations and plans in the future to expand further opportunities in the community with some other variants of R.L. The club look to develop associations with disability organisations and wheelchair R.L. 

Outgoing and incoming tours.

Post covid-19, the club will look to re-engage with visiting touring teams, as well as re-commence its own external touring aims in 2022. Being re-settled in the fully completed Oaken Lane will help provide firm foundations to do that. In 2021, despite the challenging circumstances, the club were pleased that approaching 100 club members from across the ages, attended the 2021 Challenge Cup Final at the club’s annual trip to Wembley.

Performance

In the last few years alone, the Elmbridge Club has provided over a dozen international players achieving Honours for England, Scotland, Serbia, Ireland and Wales. Having such solid foundations and facilities at Oaken Lane will provide further development opportunities into the future for the club in both the local region but also the wider international family of Rugby League to visit the region.

Again, in the last few seasons, thanks to a solid grounding and foundation in the core skills of Rugby League provided by an experienced coaching team, ‘year on year’ - roughly 15% of the playing roster at London Broncos from their Scholarship team, to their Academy team, and to their First team, have all progressed via the Elmbridge club.

Former London Broncos Head Coach Danny Ward, presenting club awards at the annual event

A sample of rewards available:

40th Anniversary Shirts

Kit Sponsorship

COOK Surbiton...  www.cookfood.net/shops/surbiton

The first 5 people to donate 'a minimum of £10 and up to £50’ each, to the Crowd Fund site will get the same amount they donate back as a gift certificate for COOK Surbiton...  www.cookfood.net/shops/surbiton

4 free personal consultations 'Accomplish Pilates'

The first ‘4’ people who kindly donate £20 to the club crowd fund campaign, will obtain an exclusive, free personal consultation during a taster session from ‘Accomplish Pilates- www.accomplishpilates.co.uk  - with a view to commencing a trial programme, where for their first ‘block’ booking of sessions, an individual will receive a 10% reduction’. Accomplish Pilates also have considerable experience with sports injury rehab support.

Exclusive Old Cranleighans Sports Club Membership

Hare and Hounds Pub - Claygate

The Hare and Hounds in Claygate has kindly offered to donate 4 vouchers that will cover the cost of a 3 course meal for 4 people.  

Details of the pub and the menu can be found on the website https://www.harehounds.pub 

Exclusive introductory offer for personal training from Richard East of Active Rest

Free consultation during a free first session with locally experienced personal trainer and conditioning coach Richard East - with excellent local gym facilities. With a subsequent 10% of any first block booking of sessions: www.active-rest.co.uk.

1hr personalised RL skills session

A 1hr personalised skills coaching session with former Professional/International players.

Elmbridge Size 4 or Size 5 Rugby Balls

Club Shorts and Socks

This project successfully funded on 11th December 2021