First target reached! Stretch target: £20,000
Our long term goal is to design and build a club facility that will support the grow...
Newsome Panthers - New Clubhouse & Community hub
Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
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Aim
Newsome Panthers are fundraising with the vision to build a multisport, state of the art, inclusive, eco friendly onsite community clubhouse
**PLEASE SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM TO VIEW REWARDS PRIOR TO DONATING**
Newsome Panthers Rugby Club Story: A Vital Community Investment
Newsome Panthers Rugby Club has been part of the Newsome community in Huddersfield for over 30 years, supporting the local area and providing opportunities for children, young people, and adults to participate in rugby, sport, and personal development. However, after three decades of growth and hard work, it’s clear that the club’s facilities no longer meet the needs of its members or the community. The time has come for a substantial upgrade to ensure we can continue offering vital opportunities to the people of Newsome and surrounding areas, now and in the future.
Newsome Panthers have also recently joined forces with Berry Brow FC, a local football club, allowing shared use of our facility in the rugby off season. This is another key indicator of community use.
A Growing Demand for New Facilities
The clubhouse and changing facilities at Newsome Panthers Rugby Club are outdated and inadequate for our growing membership. From flooding in the women’s toilets to the lack of accessible facilities for two of our members who use wheelchairs, the current state of our infrastructure simply isn’t good enough. Additionally, the lack of changing rooms that can accommodate both male and female teams simultaneously meant that we had to close our women’s open-age team in 2023—a devastating decision for the club.
We have recently seen an large increase in Cubs (3-6 year olds) rugby, along with junior girls’ participation. However, without proper facilities, this growth will not be possible. Our planned upgrades will create a safe, accessible, and inclusive environment for everyone—regardless of gender, age, or ability—and ensure that our facilities support the community’s needs for many years to come.
What Our New Facility Will Include
- Four full-size, Sport England standard changing rooms, ensuring ample space for teams of all ages.
- Dedicated educational space to support training, workshops, and community events.
- Accessible facilities, including baby changing stations, ensuring inclusivity for all visitors.
- Increased onsite parking reducing the strain on local residents
- Function room for social gatherings, meetings, and events.
- Bar and kitchen area to serve our members and visitors during events and matchdays.
- Grounds maintenance room, designed to store equipment and support the upkeep of our facilities.
- Sustainable eco friendly, including solar panels and a green roof
The Urgency of Change
The lack of changing facilities for both male and female teams has already had an impact on our club’s ability to run a full women’s program. With plans to relaunch the women’s team and expand our junior girls’ teams, the facility upgrades are crucial to our ability to support this growth.
Addressing Parking Concerns and Community Impact
One of the ongoing issues at Newsome Panthers has been the lack of parking during match days, with local residents frequently raising concerns about congestion. Our current facilities don’t provide enough parking space, which has led to frustrations from both members and the local community.
The new clubhouse plans will include increased dedicated parking spaces to accommodate the needs of players, families, and visitors, which will help alleviate the parking issues and reduce congestion in the surrounding streets. We’re also committed to ensuring that there is disability parking close to the clubhouse to ensure access for everyone, regardless of mobility.
The Impact on the Community
Newsome Panthers Rugby Club is more than just a rugby club. It is a community hub for children, young people, and families in the Newsome area, and we know that we play an important role in keeping young people engaged in positive activities. Youth crime and anti-social behaviour have become serious issues in the area, and sports clubs like ours offer an important alternative to those problems by giving young people a safe space to participate, develop, and learn.
The new clubhouse will not only support rugby teams of all ages and abilities, but will also provide an inclusive space for workshops, life skills programs, and youth activities, offering an alternative route for young people in the area.
A Legacy of Inclusion and Progression
At Newsome Panthers, we are committed to creating a clear pathway for players to progress in rugby, from Cubs (ages 3-6) all the way through to Under 18’s. This pathway is designed to support the development of rugby talent at all stages, and with the right facilities, we will be able to feed players into the senior men’s teams which now compete in the National Conference League (NCL) structure —an exciting prospect for the club and the community.
Our Physical Disability Rugby League (PDRL) program is another important part of the club’s vision for the future. We are proud to have two former juniors who are now playing for Wakefield Trinity’s PDRL team, with one player representing England and earning Man of the Match in the PDRL World Cup Final. We believe that better facilities will help us continue to support and grow the PDRL program.
The Need for Funding and Support
To turn this vision into reality, we need to raise the funding required for the construction and operation of the new clubhouse. We are committed to ensuring the new facilities will support our junior players, as well as provide the infrastructure for senior teams, the women’s rugby program, and all-inclusive activities for the community. But to do this, we need the financial support of local businesses, community groups, and other stakeholders.
The Need for Immediate Action
We can’t afford to wait any longer. The need for improved facilities is urgent and cannot be overstated. The future of Newsome Panthers Rugby Club, as well as the continued opportunity for young people in Newsome to participate in sport, depends on the successful approval and funding of this development plan.
We ask for the community’s support, whether through financial backing, partnerships, or advocacy to help make the development of our new clubhouse a reality. This is not a luxury—it is a necessity. With your help, we can ensure that Newsome Panthers continues to be a thriving hub for rugby, sport, and community for another 30 years.
PHASE 1 FUNDRAISING OVERVIEW - Newsome Panthers Heritage Wall
🏉 Built by Those Who Wore It. Backed by Those Who Love It 🏉
We are launching a tiered campaign to raise £7,000 in Phase 1 to cover the planning application fee and, once approved, progress the clubhouse build. Every donation, large or small, brings us closer to making the Heritage Wall a permanent symbol of community support and legacy.
This is only the start — the full clubhouse build will require a significant investment, and Phase 1 lays the crucial foundation to make it happen.
Honorary Funders Board – Forever Part of Our Club
On completion, this board will be proudly displayed at the clubhouse entrance, celebrating the supporters, past players, and members who helped secure the club’s future.
Back the Badge – £20
Stand behind the club you love.
Ideal for supporters who want to make a meaningful contribution and play a part in the club’s journey.
Your name will appear in standard text on the Honorary Funders Board – a lasting mark of your support.
Remember the Name – £50
Celebrate your time wearing the shirt, and ensure the future generation play on.
Aimed at past players who want their time on the pitch remembered and honoured.
Your name will appear in bold text, giving your legacy extra prominence on the board.
Leave a Legacy – £100
Leave your mark on the club’s future.
Perfect for club members past or present who want to make a lasting impact and be recognised at the heart of the board.
Your name will appear in the largest bold text in a featured section – a permanent tribute to your dedication.
🏉 The 21 Foundation Squad – Premium Sponsorship Packages 🏉
All 21 Foundation Squad packages include:
- Physical Brick on display at the clubhouse entrance
- 1900x900 double-sided sponsor board around the main field (existing sponsors with boards will have their board sponsorship extended depending on package)
- Social media recognition across 7,000+ followers
- Invitation to the clubhouse grand opening
- Additional exclusive benefits linked to each tier
Packages:
£500 – Bronze (13 available): Heritage Brick + 2-year sponsor board
£1,000 – Silver (5 available): As bronze package + 5-year sponsor board + team kit exposure
£2,500 – Gold (2 available): As silver package + lifetime sponsor board + team kit exposure + lay the first bricks of the build.
£5,000 – Platinum (1 available): As Gold Package + break ground with the first dig + engraved plaque above the clubhouse entrance once built + place on the cut-the-ribbon photo at the grand opening
Fund Allocation Statement
All Phase 1 donations will go directly towards the £7,000 planning application fee, with any surplus carried forward into Phase 2 towards the clubhouse build.
We are confident planning will be approved, supported by positive pre-planning feedback and surveys, including Historic England’s approval. In the unlikely event of rejection, funds would be used to support an appeal.
If the project does not proceed, donations will instead be directed to upgrade existing facilities in need of major repair.
All tiered privileges will be honoured or replaced on a case-by-case basis.
All updates on fundraising progress, planning, and build developments will be fully transparent and regularly shared on this page and across our social media channels.
Be part of Phase 1 - the first £7,000 - and help lay the foundation for a clubhouse that will serve generations of Newsome Panthers players and fans.
For more details or to secure your spot:
[email protected]
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 1st June 2028 at 7:37pm