New phone mast is a boost for those who experience line-outs…scrums, rucks and mauls

... which will go towards much-needed development of our Whitemans Green Clubhouse in Cuckfield. Mid Sussex District Council has received £40,000 as a one-off payment for the installation of a telephone mast at Whitemans Green. The Council has passed on 100% of the money to HHRFC for essential development work that will benefit all Club members and the local community that uses the facilities at the Club.

Haywards Heath Rugby Club is one of the largest sports clubs in Mid Sussex with two successful senior teams and over 400 children taking part in junior level rugby every weekend. The Club is an important part of the community and immediate investment is required if it is to continue to have an adequate standard of facilities to support the provision of sport and social activities for local people.

The Clubhouse roof is in urgent need of repair, with water leaking into the bar area, function room, front reception and changing rooms. The Club’s boiler is also unreliable, expensive to run and costly to maintain.

As rugby is predominantly a winter sport, a functioning boiler is essential to provide hot water for the kitchen and to heat the showers for up to 70 rugby players and referees on training and match days. If the heating or showers fail the Club is unable to fulfil league fixtures and faces points deductions from league organisers.

The new telephone transmitter has been located on top of the existing training ground floodlights so there is no need to install a separate mast.

Phil Herbert, Commercial Director for Haywards Heath Rugby Club said:

“This is a timely windfall for the Club since we have tried for many years to raise the funds needed to improve our Clubhouse but wear and tear means that the situation is deteriorating and urgent action is now required. We will continue to raise additional funds ourselves to ensure the clubhouse adequately reflects the role of Heath RFC on and off the pitch within the Mid Sussex Community.”

Councillor Pete Bradbury, Mid Sussex District Councillor for Cuckfield said:

“Haywards Heath Rugby Club is a very successful sports club in the district and does a huge amount to get children and young people involved in the game each weekend. The Council always tries to work proactively with local community and sports organisations and we have worked with the Club to facilitate the installation of the new phone mast on the playing fields HHRFC rent from us at Whitemans Green. As well as improving mobile phone coverage in Cuckfield, the one-off payment that has been secured will fund badly needed improvements to the Clubhouse building and allow the Club’s great work to continue".

Photo shows Cllr Bradbury with Mark Newey and Phil Herbert at the Heath RFC stand at the South of England Show.

Updated 17:00 - 30 Aug 2019 by Tracey Spuyman