Homegrown Havant
Havant RFC, having raised almost £50,000 through a London city lunch and auction earlier this year, have created a new gym, changing rooms and a physio’s room at their Hooks Lane HQ.
A long lease secured from Havant Borough Council saw them transform an old maintenance hut known as The Galley, adding to their already-flourishing clubhouse. Their England Rugby 365 artificial grass pitch has also had a tremendously positive impact.
Said club secretary, Julie Milford: “The all-weather pitch has been transformational. It means there’s a playable pitch whatever the weather, which we also offer to other local clubs, meaning the clubhouse is busy every day.”
Havant’s President, Jonathan Mangnall, became chairman 14 years ago at a time when the club was floundering, paying overseas players and losing those who had come up through the minis and juniors. Now running three senior men’s and two women’s teams, 85% of their players are home grown.
They have improved the infrastructure, created revenue-making initiatives, like a nursery, and plough their profits back into rugby. All their senior men and women get free membership for the new gym and some 500 Age Grade players benefit from being part of this Level 5 club, the highest ranking in the area.
“Our whole ambition was to be self-sustaining,” said Jon “and we have lots of volunteers, people who put their heart and soul into helping the club.”
Being on the south coast, their city lunch drew on a different demographic and involved referee Wayne Barnes as guest speaker and Austin Healey and Simon Shaw as guests. Popular auctioneer Johnny Gould made sure that the cash came rolling in. Then the RFU’s Immediate Past President, Jeff Blackett, formally opened the new facilities.
