Crusaders Rugby Club Phase 1

This project enhanced the facilities at Crusaders Rugby Club. It delivered a clubhouse extension, with 3 new en-suite player changing rooms, new and accessible toilets, and new official's changing rooms.

Crusaders RFC is a growing and ambitious rugby club based in Little Melton. Its catchment area extends into the key South Norfolk housing growth points of Hethersett and Cringleford. The club has seen growth in player numbers in recent years. As of 2023 the club now boasts a membership of over 450, with four senior teams (two men's teams, a veteran's team, and a ladies' team), six youth teams (four boys' and two girls' teams) and nine mini rugby groups (covering under 5s up to under 12s age groups).

Prior to this project, the club was not able to offer facilities of an appropriate standard. The shower facilities were shared by both changing rooms, and other facilities were badly laid out and in a poor state of repair.

The Greater Norwich Growth Board supported Crusaders RFC with £150,000, as there was a strong strategic need for this project. The club sits in an area of high levels of housing growth and pulls players from a wide geographic area. The project had also been identified by the Rugby Football Union as a priority for investment. The additional funding was secured from:

• Watling Trust - £10K
• Sport England - £50K
• Hethersett Parish Council - £40K
• Club Fundraising

This project was the first phase of a wider scheme to improve the club and has been extremely beneficial. Plans for future phases of work are underway to deliver an expansion to the kitchen, an additional changing room, a physio room and the installation of LED floodlights.