Clubhouse project gets several boosts
Haywards Heath Rugby Club is active across all its age groups as it pushes forward determined to start building a new Clubhouse at Whitemans Green later this year.
At the end of last month a very special guest joined over 170 members and supporters at the fourth Haywards Heath RFC City Lunch fundraiser in London.
Sir Ian Mcgeechan, the respected former Lions and Scotland player and coach, who was also an ITV rugby pundit during the recent guinness Six Nations tournament, entertained a gripped audience with his insider knowledge and tales of Lions tours past and the Six Nations present.
His enthusiasm for community rugby was clear for all to see and he was generous with his time and support for the way in which Heath has one ambition in mind when it comes to building a new clubhouse at Whitemans Green. A special competition to select a Lions XV from those squads coached by Sir Ian proved to be a talking point for all as the coach’s selection was announced, and was won by former Heath player and current coach Jonny Graham.
Now working with a new construction firm to develop a practical solution that will be possible within a realistic and achievable budget, and boosted by local corporate supporters including Focus Group, A delphi, pets corner andjlm, the club has raised over £1.8m and is focused on overcoming any remaining obstacles to deliver a fit for purpose multisport pavilion in 2024.
An indication of the multi-sport approach behind the current club plans can be seen by the imminent collaboration with Sussex Thunder – the local American football team – that will be playing at Whitemans Green this spring.
Through the generosity of everyone who attended the City Lunch, the event added around £40,000 tot hehhrfc Clubhouse Fund – a sizeable boost at an important time for the Clubhouse Project. Meanwhile,community events continue to support this initiative with a Big Six Nations Quiz at Queen’ s hall cu ck field raising over £3,000 in February.
On the rugby front, last weekend’ s Under -9 to Under -11 mini festival sponsored by Batcheller Monkhouse at Heath where over 14 different Sussex and Surrey clubs many entering multiple teams across the age groups - celebrated rugby for youth on the pitch, while volunteers hosted barbecues to support the Clubhouse cause. In addition, with three Ukrainian players having joined the ranks of Heath U11s this season, a cake sale raised funds in support of Ukraine. What a difference a new clubhouse will make to events like this in the future.