At St Brendan’s Old Boys' Rugby Football Club, we are thrilled to announce a significant milestone in our journey: we have secured planning permission for a dedicated social space at our club. This is not just an improvement in our facilities; it is a pivotal step towards strengthening the long-term future of our club and enhancing our role as a community hub at the Portway RDC.

This new space represents more than just bricks and mortar. It embodies our vision of creating a welcoming environment where players, families, volunteers, and supporters can come together. It will be a heartwarming place, warm (and dry!), flexible, and genuinely useful for everyone who walks through our doors. Beyond rugby, this space will support wider community activities, promote health and wellbeing, and provide new avenues for generating sustainable income.

Currently, we lack an indoor social area that can comfortably host post-match gatherings, team meetings, or community events. As our membership continues to grow across all age groups, the need for a friendly and functional space has become increasingly clear. This development will enable us to offer a consistent, high-quality experience for everyone involved with St Brendan’s. It will help us build identity, pride, and long-term retention across the club.

Imagine what this social space could offer:

- A warm, inclusive environment where players, families, and supporters can gather after matches to celebrate victories or reflect on tough games while enjoying being part of the St Brendan’s family.

- A home for community activities that provides local groups with a venue for classes, workshops, and social events, helping St Brendan’s become an even more valued part of the local community.

- A supportive space for volunteers that offers comfort during coordination efforts, training sessions, planning meetings, and recognition events.

- A sustainable income stream through opportunities for private hire and small functions that will support club operations and future development.

In addition to this exciting new social space, we are also designing it to complement the gym's growing program of classes and wellbeing activities. This means we can welcome:

- New classes such as strength and conditioning sessions, yoga, mobility training, and small-group training.

- A private area dedicated to treatments like physiotherapy, chiropractic services, and personal training sessions.

By creating this vibrant hub within our club grounds that is active throughout the week, not just on match days, we aim to foster a healthier, much more connected community while also ensuring financial sustainability.

To bring this vision to life, your support is crucial. We are seeking to raise £10,000 to make this dream a reality. Together, let's build not just a facility but a thriving community centre that reflects the spirit of St Brendan’s Old Boys' Rugby Football Club.