Ashton Under Lyne Rugby Football Club was chosen by the Rugby Football Union to be a recipient of one of our Better Facilities Grants for the 2015 Rugby World Cup which is being staged in England and Wales.

Ashton Under Lyne RFC has been chosen as a recipient of a Lead Up & Legacy Pitch Maintenance Equipment grant strengthening the partnership between the RFU and Club to be Fit for 2015. The grant will enhance the club’s facilities and provide a resource for use by the local community.

Hosting the World Cup provides an opportunity to deliver a huge participation legacy for rugby union and the RFU has committed a £10m investment which will create a network of over 500 Lead Up and Legacy Centres aimed at providing a platform on which club rugby participation throughout England can be built.

“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 Tom Bartrum

“This investment will also support the club’s financial sustainability leading into the Rugby World Cup and will create a focus for England 2015 and a lasting rugby union legacy for rugby in the community. The new compact tractor, mower deck and Sisis Quadraply 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, Paul Newton, said: “We are delighted that our project has been chosen as a recipient for a Better Facilities Grant. We will now have some of the best facilities in the area that local people from Ashton, Mossley, Stalybridge and across Tameside can use during the week. The 2015 Rugby World Cup will inspire 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 newcomers.”

“This investment by the RFU is excellent news.” Said Tony Okotie, Chief Executive of Community & Voluntary Action Tameside (CVAT) . “Ashton RFC has had 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.”

Ashton Under Lyne RFC is one of many clubs across England benefitting from investment through the RFU Lead Up and Legacy fund. To find out more go to www.rfu.com/betterfacilities.