Woking RFC - Help with Byfleet pavilion repairs

Since 1993 Woking Rugby Club has been hiring the pitches and changing facilities from Woking Borough Council at Byfleet Rec, sharing them with other local sports teams and community groups.

Whilst they may not be the biggest or most modern of facilities compared to other rugby clubs they did provide a base for WRFC to play its home games. In December 2022 the pavilion was closed down due to the roof collapsing and disturbing asbestos. Whilst the roof was initially repaired to prevent further damage the club was forced to play its remaining home fixtures elsewhere, at an additional cost which would be unsustainable over the long term.

With the well-publicised financial challenges faced by the local council Woking Rugby Club has decided to start the repair work to ensure the building is in a fit state to be used in time for the new rugby season. Based on current estimates the total repair bill will be in the region of £10,000 to £12,000.

For a club with one side and no clubhouse, this means we have limited opportunity to recoup or generate additional income to help with the repair bill. It represents a sizeable chunk of our reserves and a significant commitment from the committee to ensure Woking has a rugby club going forward.

With this in mind, we are asking players, supporters, and members of the rugby family along with the wider local community and businesses for donations to help with this vital repair work.

As a club, we will be fundraising ourselves during the summer at our events, the Byfleet Parish Day and through any additional sources that the committee identifies.

We appreciate that everyone is feeling the pinch at the moment but anything that you may be able to donate will be gratefully received and put towards the work which will be starting very soon.

Had the club not taken the decision not to make the repairs then the pavilion would have remained in a state of disrepair, unusable and potentially the end of accessible rugby within Woking and its surrounding areas.

Thank you for taking the time to read our support request. If you would like to find out more about the club please go to https://wokingrugby.com/ or if you're interested in playing rugby email [email redacted]