Lymm Rugby Club builds platform for greater success

AS the Rugby World Cup 2015 approaches Lymm Rugby Club rugby is hoping to build momentum for the future.

Lymm has had its fair share of success since Jonny Wilkinson kicked that famous drop goal in 2003 but the club is positioned for even greater things.

Back in 2000, recognising the facilities at Crouchley Lane were inadequate for sustainable development, with just one pitch to play and train on, the spirited club members launched the Lymm Grass Roots Sports Appeal.

As a community amateur sports club, but with a great sense of purpose and ambition, funds of over £1 million were raised through various, volunteer-led activities.

A further 10 acres of farmland were subsequently bought and developed into four pitches, with the help of the RFU, which the four senior teams and the Mini, Junior and Colts section in particular, now benefit from.

Membership grew significantly and the club now boasts over 1,500 members, with over 450 aged between 5 and 18 years old. It is perhaps this area where the club is having most success as the players move up and through the Lymm Colts Academy, with many going on to play first team rugby.

The Colts Academy is now one of the most successful in the country with an incredible track record of success. Over this period the Under 19 and Under 17 teams have won the North West Colts League A division 5 times; the League Cup 5 times and the Cheshire Cup  7 times.

The Under 19 team has won the ‘Cock of the North’ Cup in four of the last five seasons, making them the best team in the North of England.

All this has not gone unnoticed by England RFU, Sale Sharks and other Premiership clubs who regularly reward Lymm players with England age group caps and professional contracts.

They used to talk about the Welsh Fly Half conveyor belt but many are now looking closely at how and why Lymm Rugby Club is now also producing future England players.

Success on the rugby pitch can only be maintained if the base club is sustainable and remains true to its grass roots heritage. All funds raised are invested directly back into the facilities at Lymm RFC, developing it as a community sports club.

Leading the way has been the world famous annual Lymm Panto, now in its 30th consecutive year. However, the club also took the initiative by erecting a huge summer marquee for the last five years, hosting corporate events for accountancy firm Deloitte and, in 2015, the Warrington Business Awards. It also hosted fundraising Sportsman’s Evenings, Ladies Lunches, Gala Dinners and Vaudeville and Panto shows, all to great acclaim.

The objective now is to build a new, state-of-the-art clubhouse and the re-named Lymm Grass Roots Clubhouse Appeal is steadily building momentum and funds.

President of Lymm RFC, John Hopkinson said. ‘We are looking at all avenues to raise a further £500k in the next six months. If you can help, or know someone who wants to help Lymm Rugby Club succeed please contact me at [email protected].’