Target reached!
With the extra money we can restore more pitches.
Renovate our unplayable pitch #HelpUsUpTheHill
Havant, England, United Kingdom
Aim
Help renovate our unplayable pitches in the heart of the community allowing more people to play rugby and join us after a tough year.
Lockdown has had a devastating effect on people's mental and physical health.
This difficult time has confirmed to us all the importance of team sport and the community of Havant RFC.
Havant RFC is that life line for hundreds of families and individuals of all walks of life around the south coast. The return of rugby has caused much excitement but to be able to cater for all new and returning players of all ages we need more playable space.
We need to renovate our grass pitches!
WHO ARE WE?
We are Havant RFC, an inclusive community club situated on the south coast of England. Founded in 1951, about to celebrate our 70th anniversary, it’s home is Hooks Lane Recreation Ground on the outskirts of Leigh Park - one of the largest council estates in Europe
We are an every growing community currently fielding 3 senior men’s teams, 2 senior ladies teams, 2 male and 1 female academy teams, a Mini & Junior section (nearly operating at capacity) of 450 youths, with 2 junior girls age groups, 4 junior boys age groups and 7 mixed Mini age groups. We have members from ages 5 to 99.
On Sundays we have a full house of Mini &Juniors, U18 male and female and Ladies teams all playing meaning we have over 1,000 people passing through the club and on the pitches - all within the heart of Havant.
We proudly present ourselves as the most successful club in Hampshire, having won the county championship more times than any other club.
WHAT IS OUR MISSION?
Our mission is to put on rugby for everyone. We have been very successful in introducing many different people from diverse backgrounds to rugby, helping individuals stay healthy physically and mentally which is increasingly important in these COVID times.
HOW HAS COVID EFFECTED THE CLUB?
Every week our community grows, post-COVD we have seen a huge increase of brand new players as people want to overcome the effects of lockdown.
All of this fantastic growth puts a strain on our facilities. More players mean we need more space to play which means more pitches!
We have been very lucky to be able to return to our passion however to keep us safe we have to train in smaller groups and keep a social distance. Even parents on the side lines need to be kept safe.
To keep a safe distance we need more space which means we need more pitches!
Finally, due to COVID we have had to cancel many events at the club and pay for extra equipment to keep us safe.
WHY DO WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW?!
Our grass pitches are UNPLAYABLE!
They are eroded, full of stones, not much grass, waterlogged - a boggy swamp in the winter and a hard desert in the summer! For them to be safe and usable they need to be renovated.
The community and Havant RFC need more space to play!
Our under 18s often have to train in terrible conditions. We have seen matches cancelled due to the conditions of our pitches. It is now more important than ever that have as many matches and training sessions take place.
We want to give all our players the best conditions to play the best matches of their lives! We want to see the community come together to beat this horrible virus and a horrible isolating lockdown.
WHAT IS PROJECT #HelpUsUpTheHill?
WE ARE GOING TO MAKE OUR PITCHES SAFE AND PLAYABLE
We need at least £20,000 to repair the pitches. £20,000 will assure our floodlit pitch 2 is fully repaired and playable for all teams and surrounding community. Pitch 2 has been unplayable for 18 months.
We would love to see pitches 3 and 4 restore as well.
We have had a quote. The planned repair looks like this:
1) Hire of verti drain
2) aeration of the ground
4) fertilisers applied
5) weed spray
6) over seeded
7) sand top dress to level field
8) installation of irrigation
9) generator
Such a simple but costly solution to a problem affecting hundreds of players and families.
WHY DO WE NEED YOUR HELP?
Please help us start this huge project of restoring our grass pitches! WE CANNOT RAISE THE FUNDS WITHOUT YOU. The restoration will make a huge difference especially to our mini and junior and under 18 teams who use the pitches the most. We cant return safely to playing regular rugby matches without the renovation of our grass pitches.
This will be an investment into the future of rugby ensuring the continuation of the passionate community of Havant RFC. It will allow all teams of all ages to experience the joy of playing rugby.
Please help with our fundraising project and #HELPUSUPTHEHILL
Sport England: Active Together has provided £4,000 of match funding
This project successfully funded on 25th June 2021