HHRFC Clubhouse Project

New Clubhouse within reach

The current HHRFC Clubhouse at Whitemans Green in Cuckfield, West Sussex is beyond repair and no longer fit for purpose. Planning permission has been secured to build a modern, two storey sports club with a suitable car park operated under a 99 year lease. Over £1.9m has been raised independently by the Club over the last five years towards this £2.25m project but a funding gap remains. Hoarding is up on the site and ground preparation work has started - this crowd funding initiative will help make sure the facility is fully operational by Autumn 2024.

Inclusive and accessible for all

The Club is a source of physical activity, health and wellbeing and social interaction for all ages across the Mid Sussex community. However, the inadequate accessibility of the current building, lack of changing rooms, limited kitchen facilities and outdated social space create barriers to the expansion of sports and other community activities - particularly for girls and women. The existing building is substandard for the needs of the community and must be replaced to create a positive lasting legacy that is accessible and inclusive for all - the new building will bring enormous positive change for all sports clubs and community groups in the area.

Lasting long-term impact

The HHRFC youth squad has over 500 young players across U6 to U16 and Colts, with up to 85 adults in senior and vets squads plus many committed supporters of all ages. The impact of the facility will be wide and long lasting - postcode analysis of the current rugby membership shows the extensive reach of the Club across and beyond the Mid Sussex community. To ensure no one misses out, the Club’s Rugby For All initiative offers financial support through subsidised membership fees, provision of kit and travel expenses to those who otherwise would be prevented from playing due to their financial circumstances, as well as providing mentoring to younger participants. 

Multi-sport solution

In addition, the new Clubhouse will benefit not only the rugby community but also other sports – all Whitemans Green-based football, American Football, cricket and athletics clubs, plus the local Scouts and other community organisations. Everyone will benefit enormously from the new facilities with the availability of fabulous changing and shower facilities, viewing balcony, social and meeting spaces with high-speed internet access, bar and kitchen, physio room, kit shop and storage. Cuckfield Cosmos, Cuckfield Rangers, Sussex Thunder, Haywards Heath Harriers and Cuckfield Scouts have all sent letters of support for this project, recognising the ambition and opportunity of what will become the Whitemans Green Sports Club.

Community outreach

Many HHRFC members actively volunteer whether on the Board, as a coach or team admin, organising social events and rugby festivals/tours, running the Club shop or simply supporting participation. There is a large youth coaching team (over 90) who also provide taster sessions and after school rugby for many Sussex primary and senior schools. The Club is a recognised destination for community landmark celebrations such as the armistice, jubilee and coronation parties, as well as for smaller event gatherings of local organisations and groups.

Sustainable solutions

Our dilapidated old Clubhouse is not an environment in which to enjoy all the playing and social aspects of rugby. It is completely energy inefficient, antiquated in terms of the building, heating system and hot water. The new Clubhouse will be sustainable, maximising energy efficient solutions using latest technology - underfloor insulated heating, solar power, LED lighting, water management system, energy-efficient kitchen equipment as well as providing 6 x electric car charging points. The Club will be able to adopt a more sophisticated recycling system. The facility is designed to be commercially, socially and environmentally sustainable for current and future generations, preparing and protecting the community against the impacts of climate change.

On a mission to deliver

Help us reach our goal and build a state-of-the-art new multi-sports Clubhouse facility with spacious car park at Whitemans Green that will provide inclusive sport and social opportunities for all ages and contribute to the future health and wellbeing of the Mid Sussex community. 
A legacy that will stand the test of time for current and future generations.

The amazing new Clubhouse will be accessible to all and sustainable in terms of long-term commercial viability, as a source of sporting and social interaction for old and young alike, as well as being environmentally energy efficient.

The new HHRFC Clubhouse project will provide:

•    Inclusive access to six changing rooms with dedicated showers and toilets which can be compartmentalised for use by boys and girls, men and women - enabling development of rugby and other sports across all ages and genders.

•    Improved accessibility for disabled athletes and visitors and more senior members with wide doors for wheelchair access, lift to first floor, disabled toilets on both floors and viewing balcony over main rugby pitch.

•    Spectacular social space for sport and community events.

•    Improved bar and kitchen facilities providing a first-class hospitality experience.

•    External first floor balcony with outside access to serving hatch for hot drinks and snacks.

•    Dedicated Club shop and physiotherapy room.

•    Storage facility for all sports played at Whitemans Green - existing premises that are no longer fit for purpose will be demolished once new Clubhouse open. 

•    A first class modern facility for all sports users/supporters of Whitemans Green and the local community.

The new Clubhouse will elevate the experience of sport at the Club and improve the physical and mental health and well-being of hundreds of children and adults that play sport at Whitemans Green.

We are so close to making this happen - please donate as generously as you can and help fulfil the objective of building a new multi-sport Clubhouse facility at Whitemans Green. Remember with match funding secured from the Aviva Community Fund and Sport England any donation is potentially worth double or more to the project.

Make a pledge today - momentum is vital to achieve our goal.

Spread the word - share our project with your friends, family, colleagues and business/contact networks.