Read about the England Rugby AGP at Horspath.
Last year the RFU announced its intention to invest in 100 floodlit Artificial Grass Pitches (AGPs) across England over four years to combat the growing pressure on natural turf pitches from overuse and bad weather. Sixty of these sites, which will be owned and operated by the RFU, will be located at rugby clubs across the country. Round 1 has delivered five projects and a further 15 are in development for delivery this summer.
In Oxfordshire, the RFU and Oxfordshire RFU recently undertook a process of identifying a site for the delivery of a “Rugby Turf” facility within the County to support the sustainability and growth of rugby within our member clubs, schools, Further Education and Higher Education institutions.
Three clubs were identified by the RFU as meeting the initial eligibility criteria required to host an AGP, demonstrating the following:
1. Club’s pitches are currently over capacity which limits their ability to grow participation and fulfil existing training or match demand
2. Pitches within clubs around are over capacity which also limits their ability to grow participation and fulfil training sessions and matches
3. An ability to offer the RFU a long-term legal interest in the site via a 30 year lease or sub-lease covering the area of the Artificial Grass Pitch
The RFU have taken the decision to undertake further feasibility around the delivery of an AGP at Horspath; as part of the plans to relocate Oxford Harlequins RFC from their current facility at Marston Ferry Road to Horspath.
As part of the plan to investigate the development of an AGP at Horspath, local stakeholders were invited to the Rugby 365 Initial Pitch User Group Meeting on Wednesday 4th October at the Oxford City Athletics Club. RFU Area Facilities Manager Jason Bowers joined our RDO Dave Larham to deliver the meeting aims:
1. Explain the project
2. Understand demand
3. Answer questions
Stakeholders represented were:
More information about this exciting project will be publicised as and when developments allow.
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