A GRASSROOTS rugby club's plans to become a community club "for everyone" have been put on hold as lockdown measures were introduced the day after its new £190,000 pitch was installed.
The state-of-the-art pitch was made possible through funding from the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) as well as investment from the club itself.
After years of playing on worn pitches that turned into muddy puddles when it rained, the 4G pitch was eagerly anticipated by the 350 children, aged from under five to 16, who call the club home.
But, as lockdown measures came into force in March, not one player of any age has been able to run on the pitch. The players, and the club itself, are "in limbo".
The new pitch being installed before lockdown. All photos by Graeme Robinson
Co-chair of Mold Rugby Club Colin Ellis, who is also deputy head at Mold Alun School, called the situation "frustrating".
"As soon as the pitch was ready, the very next day we entered lockdown. Not one player has been able to run on the pitch," he said.
"We are very grateful to the WRU for its investment in grassroots rugby in Mold and it has been an investment for the club itself. It is so frustrating."
"As a club we still have the rates, electricity, and gas bills to pay. We are very grateful to our members who have kept paying their subs to keep the club going, even though there is no rugby and the clubhouse can't be used."
The old pitch would get muddy
Mr Ellis said the new pitch was part of ambitious plans to create a real sporting and community hub for Mold.
Next on the agenda was replacing the prefab changing rooms that are about 15 years passed their use-by date.
Mr Ellis added: "We want this to be a club for everyone. A sports club for the community. Something that Mold can be proud of.
"But all that has been put on hold."
Lights being installed
Time in lockdown has been used effectively, with new fencing and lighting added, and clean up work continuing, making the club much more welcoming to members and the wider public when it is able to reopen.
Trustee Sue Miller said times were difficult for the Mold club, which is the largest in North Wales.
Mini rugby at Mold RFC
The club's presentations, which would see hundreds of young people attend for a barbecue has been postponed, and it is uncertain if teams will start the new season in September.
Sue said: "When will we be able to get back to rugby? At the moment, nobody knows when or how it will look when we do get back.
"We haven't had end of year presentations, weren't able to finish our season and not sure when our season will start. We're at the mercy of WRU who are likely at the mercy of the Government.
"Times are really difficult for local sports clubs right now - we still have bills to pay and relying on members to carry on their memberships because we can't hire out the clubhouse either - and that is a substantial amount of income to help our operating costs.
"We announced at the end of February our Clubhouse Fundraising Development initiative - we are in desperate need of a new clubhouse and changing rooms. We started a raffle for a car to start off the initial fundraising. We were two weeks into ticket sales when lockdown happened, so that's come to a standstill as well!
"We were planning on having a Gala Ball as a fundraiser this summer - as we've just celebrated our 45th anniversary as a club. Now that has obviously been postponed.
"Our major Minis Rugby Festival which has about 50 teams come annually in October is on hold - this is a huge fundraiser for our Minis section too. We don't know if it will go ahead.
"Our fundraising for new clubhouse facilities we had planned for a five-year period - so this situation has set us back at least a year. So disappointing. We have been in talks with the Cricket Club to build a joint clubhouse and make it a community sports centre as well as a rugby and cricket club - so the facilities can be enjoyed by all on a year-round basis.
"There are so many development plans we've had to put on hold, as well as try to maintain enough income to cover our costs."
The club's raffle to win a car
Mr Ellis said due to the club being traditionally "risk adverse" it was still just "in the black".
A grant from Flintshire County Council has helped to keep the club going through lockdown.
The club is holding a car raffle, with tickets costing £4, to be drawn on New Year's Eve.
For information on sponsorship or the car raffle email sponsorshipmoldrfc@gmail.com
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