Nant Conwy RFC secure £100k funding package for new floodlit rugby pitch

Clwb Rygbi Nant Conwy has secured an impressive funding package of more than £100,000 to pay for its newly created floodlight rugby pitch at Pant Carw, Trefriw. This exciting project will provide the local community with a brand new facility in the heart of the Conwy Valley.

Robin Williams Chairman of Nant Conwy explained:

“We are delighted to have been successful in securing grant support from the Welsh Government and EU funded Rural Development Plan, Welsh Rugby Union, Sport Wales, innogy Renewables UK and Dwr Cymru. The creation of a third pitch with floodlights has been an ambitious project for the club brought about by an ever increasing number of young boys and girls wanting to play rugby”.

The majority of the groundworks have been undertaken over the summer months, with engineering, drainage, soils and surface preparation completed to WRU / IRB specifications. New state of the art, cost efficient LED floodlights have also been installed to assist the 18 teams practice and train throughout the dark winter months.

“We are extremely grateful to our funders who have made the whole project possible for us, without their financial input we simply could not have got the project off the ground” said Robin.

The project is supported by Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government; Welsh Rugby Union Facilities Grant; National Lottery Funding awarded through Sport Wales’s Development Grant; innogy Renewables UK – Dolgarrog Hydro Community Fund; Dwr Cymru – Welsh Water Community Fund.

“The new pitch will provide a much needed facility for the club’s expanding membership to train and play matches.  It’s a testament to the volunteer coaches, managers and support personnel that the club is growing from strength to strength. We have over 225 in the junior section, over 100 in the youths and seniors and we have a thriving girls and women section with over 100 members” said Robin.

“The newly installed LED floodlights will enable all our teams to train at the Club during the winter months and will help the club continue in its successes from last season” he added.

Some of the club’s recent highlights has seen the girls under 18s become all Wales Champions, the under 15 girls crowned North Wales Champions, under 16 boys RGC Champions, the under 13 boys win the Paris Euro Championships, the second team winning division three North Wales, and the first team’s colossal achievement playing in the SWALEC/ WRU Plate Final at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff earlier this year.

Carla Williams under 12s and Ceirw Nant player said “Clwb Rygbi Nant Conwy has a strong junior and girls section. I’m both lucky and proud to play for my Club on home ground and across North Wales.  The new third pitch means that we can continue to attract more juniors and girls into rugby”.

WRU Head of Rugby Operations Julie Paterson said:

“Clwb Rygbi Nant Conwy is without doubt one of the best-supported, innovative and inclusive clubs in Wales. A project of this scale and ambition to improve the experience of all at the club shows what can be done by a hard-working team of volunteers working together and with external partners. They continue to broaden the appeal of the club, enhancing its place as the social and emotional heart of the whole area.”