England RFU President Jonathan Dance stopped off at Redingensians RFC's Old Bath Road ground last Saturday (Nov.22nd), on his way to the England v Samoa match, to officially open the clubs new, extended, facilities. The £750,000 make-over includes a gymnasium downstairs plus two new changing rooms with en-suite facilities while the existing changing rooms have all been upgraded and will enable the club to now also run a ladies team.
The upstairs social area has been almost doubled in size and includes an extended bar plus a large exterior balcony from which spectators can enjoy the games on the 1st team pitch.
Dance, well-known throughout Berkshire rugby for his unstinting work with Bracknell RFC and the county, commented: “From a local perspective, and I've been around for very long time, Redingensians have always been one of the best clubs in the area and now, at last, they've got the facilities that they deserve thanks to the hard work of everybody.
“With regard to the RFU, in the build-up to the Rugby World Cup 2015, we are concentrating on improving the facilities of as many clubs as possible and other clubs in the area have benefited as well so that with the upturn in rugby that there will be following the World Cup we have the accommodation and facilities to satisfy the needs.
“It's a very exciting time for rugby and this magnificent facility just epitomises everything the is going on in the game and that is good for the game, especially in Berkshire.”
As well as the generous support from the Rugby Football Union there to witness last last Saturday's official opening were representatives from all of the clubs various backers and sponsors.
Speaking to the assembled gathering club chairman Andy Lynch told them: “We are very proud of our fantastic new facilities we've provided for the future of rugby in Reading and hope that this will provided us with the launchpad to progress up through the leagues.”
Well-wishers on the day included Wokingham Borough Councils Executive Member for Environment, Cllr Angus Ross.
He said: “Wokingham Borough Council was delighted to be able to support the clubhouse extension programme. In attending the opening we were able to see the successful completion of the building project and the support from club players past and present. We appreciate the attention to providing for all the age groups, boys and girls, and the council adding a little towards the gym area will, we hope, prove a useful contribution. The local community has a very positive club in Redingensians and we look forward to working with them in the future.”
And amongst the supporting companies represented were Grundon Waste Management who contributed £26,000 through the Landfill Communities Fund and managing director Clayton Sullivan-Webb, said he hoped the new facilities would help encourage many more in the local community to take up sport.
“Having great facilities and a superb club like Redingensians is a big plus for any community and we're delighted to have played a small part as members of the wider `team' in supporting it's future success through this development,” he commented.
Sport England have also helped the club by awarding them an Inspired Facilities Grant that will enable them to complete the project with the refurbishment of the old changing rooms and showers.
Redingensians RFC currently run five senior men's sides including their National League Div.3 South West team, the Rams, that's currently heading up the table a point ahead of next Saturdays (29th) visitors to the Old Bath Road ground, Brixham, 2pm kick-off.
Anyone wishing to join the club should go along to either of the Tuesday or Thursday evening training sessions, 7pm start, or contact club secretary Gareth Rees by e-mail on: garethrees921@aol.com

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