Ethos Public Relations Manchester

New clubhouse for Crowborough Rugby Football Club nears completion thanks to unique funding

by Ethos public relations

A brand new clubhouse for one of the most successful rugby football clubs in East Sussex is near completion thanks to financial support from a unique loan fund.

The clubhouse for Crowborough Rugby Football Club (CRFC), at Steel Cross has been years in the pipeline - and thanks to a £150,000 loan from The Social Enterprise Loan Fund (TSELF) and support from the Rugby Football Union (RFU), Wealden District Council as well as the club’s sponsors and patrons - work is nearing completion.

Richard Lambert, Finance Director at CRFC, said: “We are absolutely delighted with our new clubhouse.

“We really are a community club and now thanks to the funding we received from TSELF, our clubhouse, which has been described as one of the nicest in Sussex, will provide facilities for the entire community.”

The new building replaces the old structure built 48 years ago, and is set to become a real community asset. As well as being home to members and supporters of the rugby club, local residents, clubs and societies will be able to hire out the new large clubroom.

“We have already had enquiries from dance and exercise classes, nurseries and play groups about hiring the clubhouse,” Richard said.

Set up 75 years ago, CRFC is continuing to go from strength to strength with four senior teams, over 300 minis and juniors, a membership base of over 1,000 from across Kent and Sussex and now boasts a brand new clubhouse with superb facilities.

Sarah-Jane Davis, South East Regional Director at TSELF, said: “We are really pleased to have been able to help Crowborough Rugby Football Club in this way.

“Working closely with the CRFC Board and the Rugby Football Union (RFU), the project has been managed in a very professional manner from start to finish and it has all gone very much to plan.

“We are pleased to have been able to help Crowborough with their clubhouse which is set to become a focal point for the community.”

The new clubhouse will officially open around Easter 2012.

The Social Enterprise Loan Fund (TSELF) is a Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) and a registered charity providing loans ranging from £3,000 to £250,000 to social enterprises and charities. It has, to date, invested £8 million in social enterprises across the UK, helping clients to generate job opportunities as well as training places.

“We are here to help,” Sarah-Jane says. “So we would encourage any social enterprises looking for loans, to contact us.”

To find out more about TSELF in the South East, please visit the website  www.tself.org.uk or call 0845 017 9613.

For more information about CRFC call 01892 654832 or visit the website www.crowboroughrugby.com.

To read other news from The Social Enterprise Loan Fund click here.

Posted at 8^th November 2011