Let there be light (From Stroud News and Journal)

Let there be light

STROUD Rugby Football Club are celebrating a new set of floodlights thanks to the Rugby Football Union's Community Club Development Programme.

The Gloucestershire club are delighted to have received £35,025 to install a state of the art system at their Fromehall Ground for the second half of the 2004/2005 season.

President of Stroud RFC, Russ Hillier, said: "The grant gives the club so much more opportunity to promote games at the ground and it also compliments what is one of the best playing surfaces in the We st of England.

"Floodlit games still retain a certain aura about them and with the lack of floodlight facilities in the east of the county Stroud RFC see this as a great community asset to be appreciated by all rugby supporters.

"We hope to have the lights ready by the end of February and the thought of playing rugby on a Friday evening would hopefully increase the crowds at Fromehall Park

"The possibility of local schools playing their district age group finals under lights will further the desired links between school and club rugby and likewise the local Combination Cup Finals, which has taken place at Fromehall Park over many years, will have an alternative to playing over a weekend.

"Evening kick-offs will now be available for all age groups to enjoy and relieve the burden of cramming several games over a weekend. All this adds to an exciting development which is eagerly awaited by all at Stroud RFC."

Hillier is hoping Stroud can arrange a prestigious game for the big switch on. "It would be great if we could get a top team in to mark the occasion.

The Community Club Development Programme is an innovative collaboration between Government (the Department for Culture, Media and Sport), Sport England and 16 national governing bodies aimed at improving community club sports facilities.

The RFU's Community & Operations Director Terry Burwell said: "We are delighted to make this award to Stroud RFC.

"The club is key to the local and regional development of rugby union football and w e are committed to making sure that the club continues to provide increased opportunities for all who wish to participate in rugby."