Sport England - Movement Fund has provided £4,500 of match funding
Sherborne Rugby lighting up our future
Sherborne, Dorset, United Kingdom
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Aim
This is a crowdfunding appeal to complete the project cost for LED training lights before the autumn. Could you help us make it happen?
Project Summary
Objective is to install new LED training lights on our training area at a cost of £28,000 by the autumn 2026
- 2/3rds of the funds are in place
- This crowdfunding appeal is targeting £9000 but we hope if we raise £4500 then fingers crossed it will release £4500 from Sport England.
- Read through our story and if you can help please read the options should you be able to donate
Thank you !
Who we are
Sherborne Rugby Football Club was formed in 1980 and has overtime become one of the biggest provider of organised children's sport within the community with more than 400 players of all ages enjoying rugby on a weekly basis with two thirds under the age of 18 . Over the past two years we have invested in our clubhouse to increase social space and provide modern facilities and have been extremely well supported by local business and our members who through sponsorship , subscription fees or advice have helped us throughout . We have also been very fortunate that the Sherborne Town Council have been exceptional and are supporting our 2026 plan to provide a properly lit area to enable to improve and adapt the type of training we can offer through out the autumn and winter nights
Our Teams
Sherborne has 17 different rugby teams each one with their own special team manager and a qualified first aider . 9 of those teams train midweek and will use any area they can to develop individual and team skills .
Circa 20% of all training sessions in the season will take place on astroturf which is used to protect the main pitch from overuse when the surface is very wet and we therefore must adapt what we can do on a hard surface which is very different to grass
Circa 10% of sessions are cancelled when no astroturf or suitable grassed area is available
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Growth in participation
Our playing numbers over the past three seasons have been very strong driven by children under the age of 11 having fun playing rugby on a Sunday morning and the exceptional growth in the development of women playing rugby . The success of the Red Roses winning the Rugby World Cup has helped and having the trophy in our own clubhouse was very special . Sherborne now has 35 registered women playing and training who were not there three seasons ago . Overall we expect growth to continue and our clubhouse facilities have been designed with that in mind
Why are we crowdfunding?
Sherborne is crowdfunding to help us complete the purchase of two floodlight columns with 3 LED light on each that will illuminate the area behind the main pitch . This will be the start of bringing that piece of land up to the standard needed to train 180 players on four evening of the week for circa 8 hours combined with all sessions complete by 8.30pm . The project cost is £28,000 and we already have more than 1/3rd funded by local business and 1/3rd funded by club funds the balance will be achieved through crowdfunding , grants and events over the summer to enable to club to install the equipment before the autumn
The Specification
Musco Lights installed the lighting for the main pitch in 2005 as an RFU preferred floodlighting provider . Musco will install two new columns that match the existing lights but at the back of the main pitch . See below
Sport England
We have applied to Sport England for extra funding, as we believe our project is eligible and meets the criteria to " Get more people active, reduce the number of inactive people and tackle inequalities "
"Rugby is perfect for bringing people together , getting them moving and being part of something bigger than themselves " Edward Morello Member of Parliament for our constituency
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How the club is funded
The club raises the funds to operate each year through its members and business support from the local community.
Our club is open to those playing sport or seeking to enjoy the social occasion associated with sport.
The support we get from community and local business is quite outstanding !
How we’ll spend the money raised
All the money raised through will be spent on the new LED floodlights with a completion date of October 2026
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We play for fun
Success at Sherborne is measured by the number of players who turn up every week to train . Its not must win but it is must enjoy .
England play must win - not us .
Take a look at the Under 15s playing Wimborne on a cold winter night with a video produced by Ben at the Gryphon who volunteered his time to help us with social media .
Community impact
We think that installing LED training lights will have a lasting and meaningful impact on the whole Sherborne community, far beyond the rugby pitch.
At present, midweek training opportunities, particularly for our younger players can be restricted but with new energy-efficient LED lighting, nine rugby teams will be able to train safely on grass throughout the season — over half of these players are children, including both girls and boys. This investment directly supports youth development, physical health, and wellbeing at a crucial stage in their lives.
Its our belief that these benefits extend well beyond rugby:
- Health & Wellbeing: Regular outdoor training encourages physical fitness, mental resilience, and positive habits, especially during darker months when activity levels typically drop.
- Youth Engagement: Providing structured, accessible evening training helps keep young people active, connected, and engaged in a supportive environment.
- Inclusion & Growth of the Women’s Game: Improved facilities will support the continued growth of girls’ and women’s rugby in Sherborne, ensuring equal opportunity to train and develop.
- Stronger Community Connections: The club is a hub for families and volunteers. More reliable training schedules bring people together consistently, strengthening community bonds.
- Safer Environment: High-quality LED lighting improves visibility, reducing the risk of injury and creating a safer space for all participants.
- Sustainability: LED lighting is significantly more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly than traditional systems, aligning with wider community and environmental goals.
Importantly, we have already secured two-thirds of the required funding (approximately £20,000), demonstrating strong local support and commitment. With the final funding in place, we can deliver a facility that will benefit current players and future generations alike.
This project is not just about lighting pitches — it’s about creating opportunity, improving wellbeing, and strengthening our community for years to come
What people think of Sherborne Rugby Football Club
James Gower Headteacher at the Gryphon School
“Over many years, Sherborne RFC has provided thousands of young people in our community a focus, a purpose and a sense of belonging. Through rugby young people develop key life skills: discipline, commitment, self-confidence, work ethic, leadership and team work; they learn how to win and how to lose. Having been an active member of Sherborne RFC for over 30 years, rugby has given me memories and friendships for life."
Jon Andrews Sherborne and Dorset Councilor
“Sherborne Rugby club has been part of the sporting community in Sherborne for more than 45 years and continues to thrive .The. Club provides a valuable outlet for sport in the town and local villages .Long may it continue!
Steve Shield, Sherborne Town Clerk
"Sherborne Rugby Club continues to be a vital part of our community, providing opportunities for people of all ages to stay active and connected. I am proud to support their funding bid for new outdoor training floodlights, which will greatly enhance the club's ability to offer inclusive, year-round training and further strengthen the sporting spirit in Sherborne. This investment is a step forward for both the club and our town."
The Mayor of Sherborne Cllr Jill Warburton and the Town Clerk Steve Shield at the rugby club with Chairman Mike Trew and Vice Chairman Dale O'Loughlin March 2026 with the Rugby World Cup
The shirts on the wall in the background are from Sherborne players and their professional club at the time
Tom Lawday Harlequins , Tom James , Northampton , Ollie Devoto Exeter Chiefs ,
Out of shot Jake Woolmore Bristol and Sam Nixon Exeter Chiefs
How you can play your part
There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.
1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!
2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.
3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!
4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – maybe a sponsored activity or similar – use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 19th June 2026 at 2:37pm