GRAND OPENING OF NEW ‘ASTRO’ 4G PITCH AT LOCAL RUGBY CLUB
UPPER CLAPTON FOOTBALL CLUB (Rugby Union)

The Epping Rugby Club

Local rugby club – Upper Clapton FC, based between Harlow and Epping – will hold the official opening of its new ‘Astro’ 4G Pitch on Saturday 17 August.

The £300,000 facility represents the first phase of the club’s £1.6m redevelopment project which also includes a new clubhouse and facilities for other sports including golf and netball.

The 4G All Weather Pitch meets all current standards and is the same as that used at Allianz Park by Aviva Premiership side Saracens. Its installation has been supported through grants and loans from a number of leading sports authorities including the RFU, Sport England and Epping Forest District Council

The Grand Opening Event will feature a range of fun activities including a Touch Rugby Tournament to be played on the new pitch. The tournament is open to teams of mixed ages including youth and must include at least one girl/woman player. Teams from other local clubs are invited to attend.

The day kicks off at UCFC’s grounds in Upland Road, Thornwood, Essex CM16 6NL at 11.30 am when teams can register for the fun tournament.
The opening ceremony will commence at 12.30.

Quote:
Steve Slade, Chairman of UCFC said: “The opening of our 4G ‘Astro’ pitch marks the successful completion of the first phase of our club’s redevelopment. We are already using the pitch as part of our summer rugby training programme but it is available to rent to other local sporting clubs too. As such this facility represents a community resource which is much needed in this area. We are extremely grateful for all the support that our sponsors have given in helping to make this happen, in particular the RFU, Sport England and Epping Forest District Council.”

Timetable for the Day

Registration for touch tournament 11.30am

Official opening of the AWP 12.30pm

Touch Tournament starts 1.00pm until 3.00pm

Rounders 3.30pm-4.30pm

Tug of War 4.30pm-5.00pm

Welly Chucking 5.15pm-5.45pm

Egg Catching 6.00pm-6.30pm

Also throughout the day there will be DJ, bouncy castles, donkey rides, ice cream van, BBQ and bar open

 
NOTES TO EDITORS

Completion of the new 4G ‘Astro’ pitch marks the first phase of UCFC’s redevelopment.

The club’s plans to redevelop its Thornwood headquarters were approved by planners at Epping Forest District Council on 30 January 2013.
The approval gave the club the green light to begin a three year, £1.6m project which will upgrade all its facilities, including:

- Replacing the current 80 year old pavilion with a modern, eco-efficient club house

- The installation of a modern all weather and floodlit training pitch

- The provision of over 100 additional car parking spaces to relieve the pressure of match-day parking in the local area

The redevelopment is also supported by the Rugby Football Union and Sport England both of which have provided significant financial support
Upper Clapton FC was founded in 1879 and it one of the oldest rugby clubs in existence.

The club has been based at Upland Road in Thornwood (between Harlow and Epping), Essex since 1933.

The original wooden pavilion and other facilities are now in urgent need of replacement.

The club fields 3 adult sides and 11 youth sides (catering for players aged 5-17) each week.

‘Astro’ 4G Pitch Hire

Organisations wanting to use the pitch can book on line at:
https://ucfc.sports-booker.com

Further information – www.upperclapton.com @UpperClaptonFC