Hampshire club benefits from funding

A new £1.1m football pavilion has been officially opened in Farnborough, offering a permanent home to Rushmoor Community Football Club.

The pavilion in Grasmere Road, Farnborough, was built thanks to funding from the Football Foundation, Sport England, Rushmoor Borough Council and the dedication of the club’s members. The Council also helped by pulling together a bid to the Football Foundation for more than £500,000.

As well as offering a base for the football club, the pavilion boasts catering facilities and a function room that can be hired by local groups for events. It has also provided a home to the local Safer Neighbourhood police office.

Councillor Peter Moyle, Leader of Rushmoor Borough Council who officially opened the new pavilion said: "The new pavilion is a great facility that has not only provided a new home for the football club, but will also offer a focus for the local community for years to come and we are very pleased to be part of its success."

Rushmoor Community Football Club has just been awarded Charter Standard Community Club of the Year for Hampshire in recognition of its quality and commitment within the community. The club prides itself on giving opportunities and developing youngsters in all areas, including coaching, refereeing and running a football club. The Community Club Status enabled further funding to be drawn from the Community Club Development Programme to support the project.

Club Secretary, Steve Read said: "We are delighted with our new facilities and we hope they will help us to go from strength to strength as a club.

"The FA and Hampshire FA supported the grant application to the Football Foundation and welcome the much needed investment to this part of the county."

Sacha Nicholas from Hampshire FA said:" This scheme highlights the potential benefits to clubs who achieve the Community Charter Standard award as they are now reaping the rewards of their hard work."