Dover RFC turn on the lights!
Played 18th March 2009
Dover, a club that enjoys a great Mini / Youth membership and a large adult membership, have seen some highs over recent years and the floodlight project is up there with them.
In recent years Dover have re-organised, re-branded and re-developed themselves as a club. The emphasis being on providing a robust system to ensure the flow of their youth through the ranks and into the adult game, it is from their much vaunted development system their success was built. From languishing in the lower half of Kent 3 (RFU Level 11), and now with 5 promotions in 6 seasons they find themselves in the top half of London 2 South (RFU Level 6) with a 1st XV boasting an average age of 23/24 most weeks.
One of the major projects for a club whose youngsters expect to train (an ethos that carries right through the club), the need for floodlights was more than a dream it was a necessity. So the planning went into gear, and with local support on technical issues over licensing etc the District Council supported our plan. Dover District Council gave financial assistance and unswerving support from the mayor right through the council. Financial assistance from local business helped keep the club ticking and Sharp Interpack who provided the no strings attached cash injection to realise the sports match funding.
Dover were delighted to receive matched funding of circa £20K from the RFU, and the superb help of Rick Bruin and all at the RFU made this whole project possible. But even then it wasn’t until the RFU contractors Highlights Floodlighting entered our Crabble ground that everyone really realised this was actually happening. The results are superb and numbers at training have increased all the more, for which we are eternally grateful to the RFU and all involved in the achievement.
Wednesday 18th March 2009 was decided upon for the official date to recognise the lights going on, and it was a wonderful evening indeed. The weather had been warm sunny and spring like all week, but despite being dry and clear Wednesday evening was bitterly cold. There was a pre-match buffet for the Mayor of Dover and various Dover Town Councillors along with senior figures from Dover District Council. Unfortunately the RFU representatives were unable to make it on the night but sent their best wishes.
In recognition of the development of youth into senior rugby being so important at Dover, the inaugural game on the night was between our U17 side and U17’s from Deal. To everyone’s delight the game was played in front of some 400 spectators and our thanks goes to Deal whose full support and input into the evening made it such a success.
Dover RFC voted “Kent team of the Year” this year in the KRNM sports awards definitely confirmed the town were in full support of all that we do.
Report by: Richard Catt – Chairman Dover RFC
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