RFU CEO to visit Hoppers this weekend

Date: 14 October 2021

RFU chief visits Hoppers to see how club has invested for the future

Preston Grasshoppers RFC will be welcoming Bill Sweeney, the chief executive officer of the RFU, on the 16thand 17th of October as he comes to see the club in operation.

The RFU chief suggested the visit following consultation with Hoppers’ committee on restructuring the league and how players are paid. Mr Sweeney will also see how the club has begun a £950,000 investment programme.

The investment has been directed at enhancing its conferencing facilities by creating new rooms and event spaces, refurbishing existing changing room facilities and developing better playing surfaces. Mr Sweeney will also officially open the new 1869 bar, named after the year Hoppers was established, which has also undergone extensive refurbishment (Picture above).

Mr Sweeney will also be on hand to watch the 1st team play Billingham Rugby Club before returning to Hoppers on Sunday to watch its hugely successful mini juniors section training and playing games. This section of the club now boasts approximately 450 players across boys and girls teams ranging from 5 to 17 years old.

Martin Hothersall, Preston Grasshoppers’ chairman, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Bill to our club and for him to meet members, players and supporters and see how the club has implemented our recent refurbishment programme.

“He’ll also be able to see the impressive all-weather pitch that the RFU invested in and hopefully see an entertaining game of expansive rugby. It’s also a fantastic opportunity for us to show what a great community club we are and have input into some of the RFU’s future decisions which affect Hoppers.”

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