Three community clubs receiving Major Capital Investment to develop facilities

The awards are being made through the Club Sustainability Fund: Major Capital Investment which supports clubs go beyond facility improvements. Following presentations and a review of their high-quality applications, all three clubs were selected for proposals demonstrating exceptional potential to develop the game in their communities.

Biggar RFC will receive £250,000 towards a £1.1 million project to install an artificial playing surface at Hartree Mill Sports Ground. The all-weather pitch will ease pressure on existing grass pitches and provide a facility capable of hosting floodlit evening fixtures.

Stirling County RFC has also been awarded £250,000 towards a £1.2 million project to install a floodlit 3G pitch at Bridgehaugh. This development will reduce the impact of bad weather, providing a reliable surface for coaching, training and matches while supporting youth participation and player development.

This year Scottish Rugby will invest in three clubs, with the third being Oban Lorne RFC, where £250,000 will contribute towards a redevelopment of the existing clubhouse and changing facilities. The project responds to the growth of rugby at the west coast club, particularly the women’s and girls’ game, and will help strengthen its role as a community hub in the region.

Gavin Scott, Director of Rugby Development at Scottish Rugby said: “This is a significant investment in the future of club rugby in Scotland, backing three ambitious projects that will help these clubs grow and give more people the opportunity to play the game.

“Whether it’s creating new playing facilities or transforming a clubhouse into a place where the whole community can come together, these projects show just how much a rugby club can mean to its local area, and we’re delighted to help three excellent clubs build for their future.”

Ronald Gordon, Club President and Project Lead at Oban Lorne RFC said: “We’re hugely grateful to Scottish Rugby for this investment. It’s a game-changer for Oban Lorne. It will let us completely transform our clubhouse into a modern, accessible, year-round facility that works for rugby and for the whole community, from our youth and women’s sections to local clubs and groups who’ll be able to use it too.

“As a volunteer-led club, we’re proud to be building a space that brings people together and creates a real hub for sport and events in Oban and North Argyll. Just as importantly, the income from increased use and bookings will help secure the long-term future of the club, so we can keep investing in rugby and the community for years to come.”

Scottish Rugby’s Growth & Participation Fund allows clubs to build on existing activities that make a big difference to rugby in their area, reaffirming the commitment to supporting clubs and aiding in the development and transformation of facilities.

Now in the fifth year of the Major Capital Fund, Scottish Rugby has awarded £2.5m to ten clubs in that time, supporting the development of transformational facility development across the country.

Each project addresses a different local need, but all share the ambition to create better opportunities for people to play rugby. By backing these proposals, Scottish Rugby is helping clubs develop the facilities they need to support future generations of players and volunteers.