Back in January, ARFC applied to participate in NatWest RugbyForce 2018. We hoped that we would be selected and would receive one of the £500 grants available. The news we’ve just received is much better than that - ARFC has actually been awarded one of only six £5000 grant & support packages available (nationally) each year to use with our ‘Pitch Maintenance Kick Start’ project. This is truly fantastic news for the Club and pitches.
As part of the award, ARFC will receive:

A grant of £5000 towards the project
At least two visits from Twickenham Head Groundsman Keith Kent (or a nominated Rugby Groundsmen Connected advisor) to help plan and deliver our project
An invitation to a local NatWest RugbyForce workshop to help us plan our weekend and Community Open Day
A visit from England Rugby Deals Team to see if they can save the club money
A visit from Veritas Risk Management who will undertake an extensive Health & Safety visit covering all key areas of the Club environment

NatWest RugbyForce involves over 600 rugby clubs nationally so winning one of only 6 awards is an incredible ‘feather in cap’ for ARFC and gives us a fantastic start on sorting out the Anstey Park pitches. The ARFC project team in place and have already started working with Alton Town Council to deliver on it and are looking forward to our first visit from Twickenham Ground staff.
NatWest RugbyForce Weekend will take place on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 of June 2018. Please put these days in your calendar NOW as we will need lots of volunteers over the weekend if we are to make this project happen. More updates and information will follow over the next few weeks.