Help us put match grade floodlights @ New Ross RFC

New Ross RFC was formed in 1970 by a small group of volunteers many of whom had never played rugby before. Since then, the Club has developed its facilities in Southknock with two of the best pitches in Leinster junior rugby along with a newly refurbished Clubhouse and a basic but functional dressing room block.

The Club has been involved in assisting many charities and community organisations fundraising efforts over many years and hopes to continue this activity into the future. Now the Club itself needs help.

In the 2021/22 season, the Club fielded teams at 17 levels and has won the Men's Leinster division 2B title. Our ladies also had an excellent season coming close to earning divisional honours.

During the last year, the Club has sought and secured Sports Capital funding to install match grade floodlighting on the lower pitch. Planning permission and a detailed tendering process has been completed. This development will allow the Club to continue to grow within our current limited space by enabling match commitments to be fulfilled during evenings in the winter. This will reduce stress on the pitches and dressing rooms by vastly increasing the amount of time during which matches can be played. Increasing the amount of playable time will also allow many more players to take an active part in Rugby.

When original estimates were sought for the works, the current rapid rise in inflation had not started. Since the grant has been approved, the result of the war, and the resultant inflation, has been to increase the costs associated with the development considerably. It is not possible to gain additional funding from Sports Capital to bridge the gap.

The total project costs have increased from 93,000 to 140,000 with the Sports Capital grant fixed at 79,000.

The Club is providing very significant funding from its capital development fund to enable this work to proceed but would have to borrow funds from the banks to enable it to be completed.

We are seeking the assistance of all our current members, past members, friends and supporters in raising funds to bridge the gap caused by the recent inflation spike. Your assistance will ensure that the Club can minimise the debt incurred in providing this important improvement to the facility.

We ask you to consider donating as generously as possibly and thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide in enabling this project to come to fruition.

With your help, we can continue to provide superb sports facilities in our town and develop great ambassadors like Tadhg Furlong.