Strathaven
Birkwood Estates Limited & Strathaven RFC
Birkwood Estates Limited have been proud
sponsors of Strathaven RFC since purchasing
the Birkwood Castle Estate in 2014. Assistant
Site Manager, Dan Lloyd became involved in
the Club from the outset of the Castle project
taking on the role of Club Captain in 2016 and
still plays for the 1st XV.
The thriving local community played a large
part in our decision to develop the Birkwood
Estate and we will ultimately offer sustainable
jobs and new homes for the locality. Strathaven
RFC is important within this community and the
club itself is going from strength to strength.
The renovation of Birkwood Castle into a
boutique hotel is well underway with the new
hotel wing scheduled for start of construction
in summer 2017 with the Castle becoming
operational in summer 2019.
“There are several benefits to the new
3G pitch. More people will get to enjoy
their sport more of the time. This means
that the overall enjoyment of sport is
improved. This in turn drives the quality
of the sport being played which attracts
new people more successfully. A truly
virtuous circle. It also means mums have
less washing to do as players are not
dirty!”
Challenges
“As ever with a team based in a rural
setting such as Strathaven relying upon
the local farming community for many of
its players (especially 1st XV), attracting,
retaining and developing players is
critical. We put the majority of our effort
Birkwood Estates Limited
are very proud sponsors of
Strathaven Rugby Club
into these areas.
Then, attracting financial support
to sustain and grow the club is also
crucial. We are also clear that we need
to continue to develop our business
model to provide even better facilities
such as an indoor facility, an upgraded
clubhouse that provides a more rounded
offering to the community that includes
functions, events, food, tea/coffee etc. to
as wide a cross-section of the community
as possible.”
Ambitions
That means our focus is to provide
outstanding facilities and coaching,
within a safe and enjoyable environment,
for players of all ages, both girls and
boys, men and women.
So, right now, we are working
on a clear plan that will deliver these
strategies and we look forward to the
next successful period in the clubs’
development.
This will include an
indoor training facility and re-developed
clubhouse along with engagement with
as many sports as possible to collaborate
in a sporting hub of excellence.”
“Our vision is to instil a lifelong
enjoyment of rugby and promote this to
as wide an audience as possible within
Strathaven and the surrounding area.
www.rugbyclub.biz
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