Stoke-on-trent sport and physical activity strategy 2009-2016

156. The following summaries have been provided by the RFU in relation to the<strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent clubs and their facilities:Trentham RFC - Model Venue 22 pitches (one with match floodlights) and floodlit training area supported by a4 team changing room. The club’s current facilities meet their needs howeverwith an increase in junior and adult players a case could be made for oneadditional pitch. The club recently received an award of £150,000 to installimproved drainage, match floodlights and changing rooms for the femalerunning club.Longton RFC - Model Venue 36 pitches (1 match floodlit), 1 floodlit training area, 6 team changing roomclubhouse, 60 x 40m 3 rd Generation pitch floodlit, car parking. Usage isevery night of the week and Saturday and Sundays in season, with a drop offin the summer months to predominantly football usage. The club run both awomen’s and a girl’s team (30 players). The facilities meet their needs.Staffordshire University (<strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent) - Model Venue 3Play at <strong>Stoke</strong> Campus (Brindley site). The University look after the site andundertakes all grounds maintenance. The club’s links with the RFU are good.Staffordshire University (<strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent) - Model Venue 1Play at <strong>Stoke</strong> Campus. The University looks after site and undertakes allgrounds maintenance. The club’s links with the RFU are good.Hanford RFC - Model Venue 4Teams play at St Josephs School (although players get changed at theadjacent Michelin site which is in Newcastle). Currently the combination ofthese facilities meet the club’s needs but the club has no security of tenure onwhich to develop a sustainable club infrastructure.<strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent RFC - Model Venue 2This club plays at Barlaston in Stafford Borough. It has 3 pitches (1 trainingfloodlit), 6 team changing room clubhouse, car parking. The club does nothave enough pitches of suitable quality to sustain their current playingprogramme. In addition the clubhouse facilities are in need of update andrepair although they have recently had investment of £90k from the RFU.Usage is 4 nights a week, Saturday and Sunday. The club’s current trainingpitch which has lights cannot sustain the heavy levels of usage and as a resultusage is capped.Recent consultation with the club through the Stafford Borough PPG17 workhas identified issues with the site and facilities, but also that the club isprobably unlikely to wish to change its location away from the area in which ithas now become established.Nortoft Partnerships Ltd <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent Page | 327Sport & Physical Activity Strategy 2009-2016October 2009