With 22 teams, hundreds of children, increase in boys and girls playing numbers, with more adult men & women playing rugby at our club, our grass surfaces are used more than ever.

Also used for our town community and club open space, the areas are constantly under the cosh throughout the year. The minor issue of being located on a flood plain, does not help during wet weather times, when they arrive. Grounds too wet, soft or too firm, it’s tough to keep them ready for rugby.

Each year, as a club we invest money, with hours, on pitch maintenance, topsoil, aeration, seeding & the valuable time it takes. Sadly, it has not been enough, with increased use & changing weather.

EXMOUTH RFC are excited to announce that we are to receive a modest grant from the FOOTBALL FOUNDATION, in association with Sport England & Rugby Football Union (RFU).

This will enable additional work to take place, almost immediately. The Devon RFU also make a small but valuable contribution to help us get a game on. The Football Foundation grant will run over a couple of years, with the club making their own ongoing financial and personal contribution. A huge thank you to Mike Davison & Norma Southwood, for assisting me with the grant award.

Exmouth Rugby Club undertook pitch surveys with the GROUNDS MAINTENANCE ASSOCIATION (GMA). Our club grounds team, not just Roger, has also increased with fabulous volunteers, including Alan Pyne, Dick Holifield, Nick Tate & Neil Hooper, coming forward to ensure we spike, level, seed & mow in the right direction, with more regular maintenance. Please say 'HELLO', when you see them working on the pitches.

With the increase in pitch maintenance, comes reduced use. The Board of Directors took the decision to reduce the number of camp nights on both pitches this summer. Also reduce the number of events we can hold whilst the work is done. This comes at significant loss of revenue, however playing rugby throughout the season and beyond is more important. Our playing surfaces are a revenue generator in a number of ways, on and off field.

Enquiries have been made regarding installation of AGP artificial surfaces for our second pitch. Initial cost and annual maintenance make them not viable for our club.

EXMOUTH RUGBY continue to seek financial support for pitch maintenance and upkeep, if you hear of a fund we can apply or access, please do get in touch.

Better playing pitches, more regular rugby for all, spaces that are available throughout the season, whatever the weather (almost). We’re working on it. Thank you for playing your part & keeping the areas tidy when used. Huge Thanks to all who can make the change, the reward is something we will all be proud of. A real TEAM effort.

Bring on the summer. Then on to next season.

Ian H
Chair
EXMOUTH RUGBY