Tuffley Rovers Social Club & Youth Changing Rooms

Who are we?

Tuffley Rovers AFC were established in 1929, with the aim of providing the opportunity for people from the local community to play for their local club. 

94 years later, we continue to have the same aims and objectives, but we have grown to one of the largest adult clubs in Gloucestershire and we have plans to extend our youth section, to meet the demand of young people and families wishing to join the club.

Why are we crowdfunding?

The youth changing rooms and old scouts building have been derelict since we purchased them some years ago. With changes to the club Committee over the years and also the impact of the pandemic, the desire has always been there to redevelop the area, whilst widening our offer to the local community for better, affordable use in the area. Discussions have taken place to link with local community partners, to be able to offer our facilities during the day, offer our members a larger space where they can come and socialise with friends, and also host events for private bookings. 

With also over 100 people on a Saturday morning attending youth games on the playing field, we look to open up a larger space for families to be able to relax in comfort, before and after games, with areas that the youngsters can get changed.

This also means we will be extending our car park, installing a bike shelter, adding an electric vehicle charging point and having a wrap-around seating area for people to enjoy in the warmer month.

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. If you want to run your own fundraiser to support us, 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!

How we’ll spend the money raised

 All money raised will go towards the completion of the development of the site where everyone within the community can benefit from the newly built extension. We have been successful in raising a significant amount of money already through Section 106 funding through Gloucester City Council. We have also been awarded a Levelling Up grant following an application and assessment to Gloucestershire County Council in November 2022, and we were informed in February of our successful bid. 

Planning permission has already been granted and we are currently in discussions with building contractors to tender for the works.

Community impact

We have been in discussions with local community groups about them using the facilities during the day for activities such as family learning classes, educational sessions, coffee mornings, community warm spaces, charity meetings, fitness classes making use of the field. We will also be able to offer the extended area for private events for people at an affordable rate, so that the venue is accessible to all. We are already engaging with community groups and hosting outdoor classes, such as community gardening at the Glevum Park site in the heart of Podsmead. Our place in the local community is vital in improving social isolation and health inequalities of all ages.

At the moment the building is an eyesore in the area, and with the works completed, it can be something that the community can be proud of.