Bideford RFC Redevelopment Program

For the past 5 years Bideford RFC have been embarking on a re-development program to the launch the club into the 21st Century.

Bideford Rugby Football Club was established in 1926 and is a long established club stooped in tradition and held in high regard with other rugby clubs, local schools, regional governing body (Devon RFU) and the National Governing Body (RFU).  We are a voluntary organisation and an amateur club which is supported and run by around 100 volunteers, 400 members and thousands of users annually all dedicating thousands of unpaid hours to the club that provides such a strong respectful resource to our local children, families and community.

The clubhouse and changing facilities, which are in use every day of the week, have changed very little in the last 30 years and is now in need of refurbishment and modernisation for today’s and future generations of budding young rugby players. In particular, the changing rooms, toilets, and match official’s rooms (currently a single toilet), which are well overstretched for junior, female and senior, training and match days. 

We have an expanding youth section with in excess of 200 members ranging from 6 to 17 years old who train on a Wednesday night and play matches on a Sunday.  This inturn provides a benefit to the community by offering out of school activities and keeping children interested in sport/team activities which is structured and uphold strong values (such as team working, discipline and respect) that children can bring in to their wider lives.

The club has been awarded the prestigious seal of approval accreditation by the RFU and has been assessed on its ability to provide safe, effective and child friendly club environment.  This acknowledges the clubs positive approach to encouraging and providing youth development to nationally recognised standards.  The club will be continually assessed and is expected to uphold and maintain this status.  The building of new changing rooms and improving the club house facilities will ensure the club further assist the club to meet it on going and future commitments/plan.

Devon RFU holds Academy training sessions on a Monday night and the club is privileged to have been selected as the venue over other clubs such as Barnstaple with coaches and players travelling from all over the county to attend the Bideford ground. In addition over recent years the club has established a senior ladies team, which has a strong following and is playing league rugby against sides from all over the South West.

New changing facilities will increase the number of changing rooms to four and will ensure that players, parents and match officials have enough suitable and safe-changing areas designed to the latest RFU guidelines to meet current and future demands.  They will also incorporate female player and female official changing areas plus providing disabled provision, on site laundry for shirts and an equipment store.  The site that has been selected is totally convenient to the club and will work with and enhance the existing clubhouse.