Rushmoor borough council and rushmoor community fc celebrate £540,542 funding bonanza
Rushmoor Borough Council has beenawarded funding worth over half a million pounds to become a sporting hub in its Hampshire community. Lord Pendry, President of the Football Foundation and former Shadow Sports Minister, will present a cheque to mark the occasion at 11am on Thursday 13 September at Rushmoor Borough Council offices, Farnborough Road, Farnborough.
Also present will be John Ward (Chairman of the Hampshire FA), Councillor David Welch (Mayor of Rushmoor Borough Council), Councillor Diane Bedford (Rushmoor Borough Council), Peter Amies (Rushmoor Borough Council) and Stephen Read (Rushmoor Community Football Club).
The Council has been awarded a Football Foundation grant worth £425,542 towards developing a new changing pavilion for Rushmoor Community FC, based at Southwood Playing Fields, Grasmere Road, Farnborough.
The Council has also been awarded a separate Football Foundation grant, managed by Sport England and worth £115,000 as part of the Community Club Development Programme (CCDP). This has been awarded because of Rushmoor Community Football Club’s status as a Charter Standard Community Club. This means Rushmoor will receive a combined funding package worth £540,542.
CCDP is a Government funded scheme, specifically earmarked to develop links between the country’s leading junior clubs and their local communities, providing quality coaching and safe environments for young people to enjoy the national game. The Football Association identified Rushmoor Community FC as being eligible for CCDP investment.
Currently, Rushmoor Community FC has no home base and no changing provision, making this a crucial development. At present, teams have to get changed in an old steel container, which is now over 25 years old and totally unsuitable for junior, female or disabled use. The design of the new scheme complies with Football Foundation guidelines and the Disability Discrimination Act. All changing rooms will have associated shower and toilet facilities all of which are suitable for dual gender use. There will be two officials changing rooms with toilet and shower as well as separate male, female and disabled spectator toilets. The building will also include a kitchen, which opens onto a large function room. Store rooms, a cleaners store and plant room will also be provided.
Lord Pendry, President of the Football Foundation, said: “Rushmoor Community FC will now be able to play an even bigger role in developing the grass roots game in its area. Foundation investment, alongside the CCDP funding is strengthening the bond between local clubs and the communities they serve. Since its launch in July 2000, the Football Foundation has funded 112 projects worth over £18m across Hampshire and we welcome more applications from the region’s schools and clubs.”
Councillor Diane Bedford, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Youth, Rushmoor Borough Council, said: “this is brilliant news for the local area. I would like to thank the Football Foundation and Sport England for their incredible support with junior football in the local area.”
Stephen Read, Rushmoor Community Football Club, said: “Rushmoor Community FC are delighted to have achieved the Charter standard enabling provision of facilities like this within our community. It is a well designed facility with changing, administrative, storage and social needs being met.
Rushmoor Community FC wish to thank all those involved in supporting and realising our goals, including Farnborough Rugby Club who assisted in our early period of growth, the football club committee, managers, parents, players and our close links with Hampshire FA and Rushmoor Borough Council that has enabled this success. It is a great achievement for Rushmoor Community FC and they thank Rushmoor Borough Council, The Football Foundation and Sport England for recognizing and supporting this much needed facility financially.”
Judith Dean, Regional Director, Sport England South East, said: “We’re delighted to make this award to Rushmoor Community Football Club. This facility provides a huge boost for the local community, helping more people get involved and reach their potential. We want funds to go directly to the heart of community sport to revitalise popular facilities and encourage more people to take part in sport more often. Rushmoor’s commitment to providing high-quality facilities demonstrates a demand and passion for football – both at this club, and further a-field.”