Olympic Legacy Fund has provided £32,500 of match funding
Portadown RFC Clubhouse Refurbishment Project
Craigavon, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, United Kingdom
Aim
Here at Portadown RFC we are looking to refurbish our clubhouse by upgrading carpet throughout and re-upholstering seating.
Tell Your Story
We are Portadown Rugby Football Club, founded in 1879 and proudly serving the people of Portadown and North Armagh for nearly 150 years. Our club has always been more than just a place to play rugby, it’s a community where friendships are built, skills are learned, and people of all ages and abilities come together to enjoy sport.
We cater for everyone: from our enthusiastic mixed mini-rugby players (U6–U12), to boys & girls youth rugby (U13–U18), five senior mens & womans teams, and our Portadown Panthers, a fully inclusive team for players with a learning and/or physical disability.
Our vision is simple but powerful: to use rugby as a platform for healthier, happier, and more connected lives.
Now, we want to take the next step by renovating our clubhouse, replacing the worn carpets and reupholstering the seating. This will ensure that the heart of our club, where players, families, and community groups come together, remains welcoming, comfortable, and accessible for all.
Community Impact
Our facilities at Chambers Park already support a wide range of activity – rugby, cricket, all-weather sport, fitness, and youth development. But it’s inside the clubhouse where the community spirit really shines.
The clubhouse is not just for rugby, it’s a genuine community hub, regularly used by a variety of local groups and organisations. These include:
- Choir groups who rehearse and perform in our social spaces.
- Our own Portadown Panthers, ensuring rugby is inclusive for those with disabilities.
- Tir Na Nóg GAA and other sports clubs who share our facilities.
- The Caravan Club, who bring visitors and tourism into the local area.
- Ulster Rugby, who host development events and training sessions at Chambers Park.
- Portadown Cycling Club, making use of the clubhouse as a meeting point.
- Annagh United FC, strengthening cross-community sporting partnerships.
- Probus, who gather for social connection and fellowship.
- The Portadown Half Marathon, which uses our facilities to welcome hundreds of runners and supporters.
- And many more local organisations and groups, all of whom benefit from having a safe, welcoming, and central space to come together.
By upgrading our clubhouse, we are not just improving facilities for our members, we are investing in a space that belongs to the whole community.
These improvements will:
- Provide a modern, safe, and welcoming environment for all members and visitors.
- Support the mental health and wellbeing of players, families, and community users.
- Strengthen links with local organisations who use our facilities weekly and annually.
- Ensure that everyone, from children in our minis, to our Panthers, to visiting groups, has a place where they feel welcome and proud.
Why We’re Crowdfunding
Like many community sports clubs, we have felt the financial pressures of recent years. Rising costs and the long-term impact of the pandemic have meant that essential improvements have had to be delayed.
Our pitches and training facilities remain well maintained, but the clubhouse interior has been left behind. The carpets are tired, and the seating is worn out. For a club that prides itself on being a hub for the whole community, this just isn’t good enough.
That’s why we are turning to our community to help us raise the money we need to make this project a reality. Together, we can transform our clubhouse into a modern, comfortable, and inclusive hub for sport, friendship, and community spirit.
How We’ll Spend the Money Raised
Every penny will go directly into creating a fresh, welcoming clubhouse for our community:
- Carpet replacement throughout the clubhouse.
- Reupholstering of seating in the lounge.
How You Can Play Your Part
There are simple ways to help us reach our target and make this project happen:
Make a pledge – every donation, big or small, brings us closer to our goal.
Spread the word – share our project on social media, at work, or with friends and family.
This project successfully funded on 31st December 2025