University scores with Rugby Football Union funding for international standard pitch
The University of Hull has been awarded £250,000 from the Rugby Football Union (RFU) towards an international-standard artificial grass pitch for students and the local community.
The RFU investment is part of its Rugby Share programme which is committed to investing £10m over four years into partner organisations to part-fund 40 artificial grass pitches on community sites.
The university is one of the first to benefit from the programme, with the investment used to create an internationally compliant AGP for the local community – the only pitch of its kind in East Yorkshire.
Steve Curtis, partnership and project manager (sport), at the University of Hull, said: “The pitch offers massive benefits to our students and local rugby community. We are committed to providing the best facilities and experience for our students and the community and our investment in our sports facilities is critical to achieving this.
“We are extremely pleased the RFU is helping fund this pitch, it is a testament to what we are trying to achieve here at the University in terms of our sporting offer. Not only will our own students have the chance to train and play on one of the finest quality pitches, but teams of all ages and abilities will be able to come onto campus and use our fantastic facilities.”
The RFU is increasingly favouring artificial pitches because of their durability. They are able to be used year-round at a consistent standard, increasing access to the sport.
There is also growing pressure on natural turf pitches from overuse and bad weather, currently just 1 in 10 artificial grass pitches in the country are up to international rugby regulations.
Steve Grainger, RFU rugby development director, said: “As part of the legacy from hosting the 2015 Rugby World Cup, the Rugby Football Union has committed to investing in 100 artificial grass pitches across England.
“Over the past four years, RFU data shows that wetter winters are having a serious impact on the rugby season, resulting in more games and training sessions being cancelled. The new AGP at Hull University will enable more rugby to be played and enjoyed by the community through extended playing hours and the ability to play year-round.
“This is an exciting partnership with the university and should provide both organisations with a facility that will ensure rugby in East Yorkshire continues to thrive.”
The new pitch has been constructed as part of a £16m investment in sports facilities at the University.
The investment includes a new sports centre, which will house a 12-court sports facility, including international-standard netball courts and bleacher-style seating for 700 spectators. The aim is to make the university the regional hub for netball.
The facility, being built adjacent to the current sports hall, will also house a strength and conditioning suite plus enhanced changing facilities.
There will also be a £1.8m football hub, funded in part with a £500,000 donation from the Premier League and The FA Facilities Fund.
