We haves been able to install 200 lux flood lights on Pitch 1 which will make it more easy to play mid-winter league games, when conditions as we know only too well, can be gloomy.The majority of the £53,000 outlay has been provided by the RFU, a lady member and the Oval Club, to both of whom we owe a huge debt of gratitude.We were chosen by the Rugby Football Union to become a Legacy Centre and receive a grant of £30,000 to install the floodlights & provide a base for the continued growth in club rugby participation and membership throughout England.England 2015 provided rugby union with the platform to grow participation across all areas of the game. As a legacy of the event the focus turns to maintaining that growth and retaining those new players."The new facilities will improve the quality of the rugby experience for everyone using the site and provide more playing opportunities, especially for local people in the 14-24 age-group." said RFU Area Facilities Manager Jason Bowers. It will be particularly fitting now that BSRFC is playing in National 1, the 3rd tier rugby in England.
"This investment will also support the club's financial sustainability and will create a lasting rugby union legacy for rugby in the community. The 200 Lux floodlights will help the club raise its profile and encourage more players, volunteers and spectators to share the special values that distinguish the sport."
Club Chairman, Colin Tilley, said: "We are delighted that our project has won approval following its original identification by Hertfordshire RFU. We will now have some of the best facilities in the area that are available to local people from Bishop’s Stortford and surrounding area. England 2015 inspired a new wave of people of all ages to become involved in rugby and this RFU investment will help our club to be even better equipped to welcome the newcomers."
"This investment by the RFU is excellent news." said Mark Prisk, MP for Hertford and Stortford “The Bishop’s Stortford Rugby Club has an enthusiastic group of hard-working volunteers and this funding will enable them to do even more for young people in the community in the future."