Sutton Coldfield RFC have made a significant step towards become a Team Base for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
The level five club, who play at the Roger Smoldon Ground in Walmley Road, has been included in a list of 65 venues who could host one of the teams in next year’s competition.
Those sites are competing for the right to host one of the 20 nations who will come from across the world to compete for the Webb Ellis Cup cup from September 2015.
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To that end Sutton Coldfield have combined with Birmingham Metropolitan College and The Belfry to lodge their bid and have also instigated a five-year, £250,000 improvement plan that could not only to tempt one of the sport’s big hitters to the area, but also make it one of the finest clubs in the city.
“We’re over the moon to be through to the next stage,” said Chairman of Directors, Jim Haywood.
“Hosting a team would be fantastic for our facilities and the local area and will help us plant Sutton Coldfield firmly on the World Cup map if we are selected. We’re delighted that our facilities met the criteria and it shows our plans are world class.
“We’ve got the bit between the teeth with the development and work is forging ahead. We know the power in having a rugby club as a team base is huge - and the legacy it leaves behind the Rugby World Cup is something we are eager to be part of.”
Sutton have been implementing their upgrade plans since 2011, the latest stage of which is a new gym due to open next month, and also includes an extension to the downstairs bar, toilet improvements and a medical room in the changing area.
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The next stage of the plan is the provision of two new en suite changing rooms and the development of a new floodlit pitch, which is all part of the England 2015 Team Base proposal.
With two games being held locally at Villa Park, South Africa-Samoa and Australia versus a qualifier, Sutton will be hoping to make the final cut which sees 65 reduced to around 50 midway through this year.
Success could bring stars like Bryan Habana or Quade Cooper to a city and rugby community crying out for recognition on an international stage.
Bases on the approved list are not guaranteed to host teams; however they will be used to provide the competing nations with their Team Base options, many of which are currently undertaking visits of prospective bases.
A Team Base must include an indoor and outdoor training facility, a gym, an indoor swimming pool and a hotel. These facilities must meet international team training standards and be located in close proximity of one another. Match Venue location has also been taken into account.
Sutton were awarded ‘Club of the Year 2013’ in recognition of all the work, the ongoing development and the growth they have achieved and also holds the coveted RFU Accredited Club status
They have more than 320 children playing rugby each week and over 300 senior club members and senior matches have attracted four-figure crowds as they have risen through the leagues in recent seasons.
This year the club are running a Rugby 7s tournament across the weekend of May 31-June 1. The Midland Sevens will draw teams from across the 海角视频 and provide a tournament for social, pro and ladies teams to compete in.