PLYMOUTH Argaum are hoping the city’s sports fans can help them secure some much-needed funding to transform their out-dated clubhouse.
The Cornwall/Devon League side have entered the Aviva Community Fund competition.
Each year the fund finances more than 800 projects across four levels and six categories throughout the United Kingdom. One of those six categories is sport in the community, which is what Argaum have entered.
However, to make it through to the short-list to be considered, the Bickleigh Down-based club need public votes.
Argaum have progressed and expanded quickly. Three years ago they were in Devon Two with just two teams.
However, now they are in the Cornwall/Devon League and have a full range of mini section from under-fives to under-nines, an under-14 team, a colts side, two senior teams and they are also running the RFU’s Return to Rugby programme.
Their mini section is based at the University of St Mark and St John, but their ultimate aim is to develop their facilities at Bickleigh Down to make it more appealing to young people and the whole community around Roborough and Woolwell.
Their clubhouse and changing rooms were built in the 1950s and little has changed.
In their application Plymouth Argaum said: “Our ultimate plan is to bring rugby for these young people to our club and to achieve this we need to reenergise our social space with a complete transformation.
“The club house currently has a bar area and a separate dining area. The plan is to remove the dividing wall and open up the club house space so that all are included, particularly post-match.
“This will improve the ambience of the club house, lead to player retention and will be generally more welcoming. This will improve the takings behind the bar.
“With the new space there is the option to potentially look at hiring the facility to local groups to improve revenue during the close season and mid-week, establishing greater community links.
“The current kitchen facilities are inadequate for the growing club and utilise more space that is needed.
“The intention is to split the space by a) installing a fit for purpose kitchen, with correct professional equipment, with serving hatch into club and b) utilising the newly created space as an area for children to safely play, a kids club.
“This will allow the club to then offer catering for all its needs and potentially host external events.
“The kids’ club creation will improve the experience for players and their families as the children can be supervised whilst the players and families participate in club activities. This will lead to player retention and an increased player base across the board particularly the target RFU age range.
“Most of the clubhouse furniture is ancient and mismatching. Replacing this with new furniture will improve the ambience of the club and improve revenue from more usage.”
Argaum are hoping people will support their plan and help make their clubhouse a family-friendly environment.
To vote or find out more information, click HERE