What an amazing day last Saturday when we started the move from Mill Road to the new Club House. It was great to share time with so many volunteers who worked tirelessly throughout the day - thank you so very much.

Our intrepid reporter Ed Marriage was there to record the day’s actions and reactions.

From Ed:

Better late than never, Colchester Rugby Club finally moved into its sparkling new home on the Colchester Sports Park at the weekend.

The club had been due to move from Mill Road - its home for more than 40 years - about a year ago, but the pandemic put paid to that, with the lease on the new ground beside the A12 finally signed last Thursday.

On Saturday an army of volunteers including members of the committee, supporters, players and coaches, pitched in to help with the short move across town.

Everything from tables and chairs, training equipment, ovens and fridges to plates and pint glasses were shifted using a convoy of cars, vans and trailers and a fair bit of muscle.

For many, it was the first chance to look around the impressive new facilities, with the lavish clubhouse at its heart, alongside a series of pitches including the state-of-the-art artificial first-team field.

Among the senior players helping with the move was 1st XV half-back, the club’s favourite Kiwi, Brett Cutbush. “It’s amazing. The changing rooms are huge - a bit different from Mill Road. The boys are going to love it,” he said.

For one of the main driving forces behind the move, club chairman Karl O’Brien, there was a sense of relief. “I’m just happy this day has come. It’s a fantastic start to a new era for the club. I can’t wait for us to start playing again.”

Due to government Covid-19 restrictions and the Rugby Football Union’s return-to-play pathway, there’s unlikely to be any traditional, full-contact rugby played until the start of next season in September. But training sessions are already underway on the new pitches, and the Colts will be playing what amounts to non-contact rugby on Sunday 9th May at 2:30 p.m.

For Director of Rugby Anthony O’Riordan, the new ground is an opportunity for a reset, on and off the pitch. “It sets a tone and frames what we’re trying to do. Everyone needs a lift at the moment and this represents a great framework for us after coming so close to promotion last season.”

O’Riordan also thinks the new facilities will play a part in attracting new players to the club. “It demonstrates our place in the region and our ambition.”

Now the debate has started over what the club’s new ground should be called, with Cuckoo Park - named after the nearby Cuckoo Farm, an early favourite, or maybe Raven Park or even the Colosseum after the Colchester Romans?

Thanks Ed - and let us know what you think about a possible name.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

PARKING - The procedures for this are still being organised and information will be available shortly. Many of you will have forwarded your registration numbers to Kim. Eventually, you will need to download the parking app - if you are concerned for the next couple of weeks please enter your registration on the iPad in the Sports’ Centre - we will have our own soon!

Please ensure that you park appropriately on the new grids so that we can accommodate the highest number of cars.

The Club House itself will REMAIN CLOSED in line with Covid restrictions - only the downstairs lavatories will be available - as tempting as it may be please DO NOT try to access any other part of the building.

We will, as soon as possible, hopefully after 17th May, be arranging tours of the Club for all age groups.

Our Commercial Manager, Bill Rhys Jones has asked for the following message to be circulated to all our sponsors and partners…

Hoardings

With the move to the new ground nearly completed I am busy arranging hoardings to go round the fantastic new pitch. All those sponsors who supported us over the last year should have been approached about providing a new design, if you have not please contact Bill on bill.rhysjones@gmail.com. I would also just like to thank them yet again for their great support over the last year.

I would also like to take the opportunity of welcoming new sponsors who have come on board to take advantage of the facilities at our new ground. These include Top Job, Turnstone Estates, Kingswood Group, Digital Reflow, Rugby Box, Surface Prints, Oakheart Properties, MJ Triathlon coaching, Colne Valley Beef Farm Shop and NFU Mutual. Look for details of our sponsors on our website and see if they can provide a service you require. Remember to mention that you found them from the club.

Finally, if you are interested in getting a hoarding or sponsoring the club or even know someone who might be, please contact me.

Looking forward to seeing some of you on Friday at our last Touch session at Mill Road and at the new ground on Sunday 9th May.

Stay safe,

Maggie

President CRFC