New Swanley stadium for Wasps RFC

KentOnline / KMTV

Swanley Rugby Club says the moving of Rugby giant Wasps into the town and the building of a new stadium won't solve many of the financial problems grassroots clubs are facing.  Emily Reilly O'Donnell reports.

Transcript

00:00When Wasps announced their plans to relocate to Swanley, the question was why have they picked an area not particularly known for rugby?

00:07We've had to, the club's disappeared, it's trying to come back, trying to come back in the championship.

00:14But I think we've realised over time we need to find a home for this amazing brand.

00:19And, you know, Sevenoaks have been very welcome to us and Kent, so we just felt this was the best place.

00:27It's got a great rugby heritage down there, there's a lot of clubs, a lot of fans, and there's not a club anywhere near,

00:33so we just feel it's a great opportunity for us.

00:36But moving to a different county won't immediately fix the financial issues that are blighting the entire sport.

00:42If the RFU really wants to take sort of grassroots rugby seriously and making sure that there's a community of people

00:48willing to play the sport, willing to engage and watch the sport, I think it needs to embrace modernity,

00:53look at other sports that are doing a really good job of attracting new young people into the sport,

00:58and being willing to spend money, which they are to be fair, in supporting clubs like Swanley,

01:04so that ultimately we don't have to play on recreational council ground in front of one floodlight.

01:12Success for Wasps will rest somewhat on buy-in from their new fan base.

01:16What impact could Wasps have on the rugby community here?

01:19The more rugby is talked about in a local area, the better I think it will be for all local clubs.

01:25People may not really know much about rugby because it's obviously a big football area,

01:31so if people are talking about rugby and understand rugby, then in turn I think they could be interested in playing it

01:36at a youth level and an adult level.

01:39I would hope, although you can never guarantee, that our membership would soar because of it.

01:46Because of the fact that we've got a premiership rugby team in Swanley.

01:51Plans for the new stadium are still in the early stages, and Sevenoaks District Council say that there will be

01:56opportunities this year for residents to have their say on the proposals.

02:00But these rugby fans at least seem excited about a new look Wasps.

02:04Emily Riley-O'Donnell for KMTV.

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