whitton
lions
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“We have great facilities at Whitton Park for the current size of the team including
a fantastic bar which one of our team members crafted himself. However,
we hope to expand and we have plans to convert some disused squash
courts into first class changing facilities that would provide the
opportunity for youth and female rugby.
“We have been relatively lucky in that we have a loyal
following of local businesses who have been more than
happy to sponsor the club. It helps that our main sponsor
is the Local Pub, the Prince Albert along with the
curry house, the Spice of India and the kebab house,
the Golden Grill. We have also been lucky to have
generous players who have also sponsored the club
or assisted with community grants including. BRG,
UK Power Networks and Blossoms Health.
“Our biggest challenge is growing the club.
We sit in an area where there are some excellent
established clubs such as Twickenham, Richmond
and Grasshoppers and several smaller local teams.
While we have sought to fit a niche of lapsed,
aged or new to rugby players as we have become
more established we want to retain and grow the
membership. Additionally, while our facilities fit
the club at the moment they will need investment
and more changing facilities for long-term growth
– particularly if we want to enter the youth or female
game.
“Our ambitions for the next five years include setting
up and establishing a second team while also providing a
crèche for the older lads such as myself in the form of a Vets
team. I would also like to encourage the setting up of a youth club
– especially as I have a new baby son. It would be great to see him
playing as a Lion Cub.”
40 Issue 56
www.whittonlions.co.uk - Twitter : @WhittonLions