Rugby Union in London Colney received a major boost today when Verulamians RFC was chosen by the Rugby Football Union to be a recipient of one of our Transforming Social Spaces Grants for the 2015 Rugby World Cup which is being staged in England and Wales.

Verulamians RFC has been chosen as a recipient of a Lead Up & Legacy Transforming Social Spaces grant strengthening the partnership between the RFU and Club to be Fit for 15. The grant will enhance the club’s social facilities and provide a resource to be used by the local community.

Hosting the World Cup provides an opportunity to deliver a huge participation legacy for rugby union, and the RFU has committed a £10m investment which will create a network of over 500 Lead Up & Legacy Centres aimed at providing a platform on which club rugby participation throughout England can be built.

RFU area facilities manager Jason Bowers said: “The new social space will improve the quality of the rugby experience for everyone using the site and provide more playing opportunities, especially for local people in the 14-24 age-group.”

“This investment will also support the club’s financial sustainability leading into the Rugby World Cup and will create a focus for England 2015 and a lasting rugby union legacy for rugby in the community. This refurbishment project will help the club raise its profile and encourage more players, volunteers and spectators to share the special values that distinguish the sport.” OV chairman Ian Graham added: “We are delighted that our project has been chosen as a recipient for a Transforming Social Spaces Grant. We will now have some of the best facilities in the area that local people from St.Albans, London Colney, Park Street, Colney Heath, Shenley & South Mimms can use.

“The 2015 Rugby World Cup will inspire a new wave of people of all ages to become involved in rugby and this RFU investment will help our club to be even better equipped to welcome newcomers.”