MALDON Rugby Club chairman Jeremy Wood is delighted that they have received a major boost from the RFU.

The club have gained a £10,000 financial boost thanks to the Transforming Social Spaces Grants for the 2015 Rugby World Cup scheme.

The Lead Up & Legacy Transforming Social Spaces grant strengthens the partnership between the RFU and club to be Fit for 15.

The grant will enhance the club’s social facilities and provide a resource to be used by the local community.

Hosting the World Cup, which is being held in England and Wales, provides an opportunity to deliver a huge participation legacy for rugby union, and the RFU has committed a £10m investment which will create a network of more than 500 Lead Up & Legacy Centres aimed at providing a platform on which club rugby participation throughout England can be built.

Maldon chairman Wood said: “We are delighted that our project has been chosen as a recipient for a Transforming Social Spaces Grant “We will now have some of the best facilities in the area that local people from Maldon, Heybridge, Tiptree, Danbury, Hatfield Peverel, Mundon and Tollesbury can use.

“The 2015 Rugby World Cup will inspire a new wave of people of all ages to become involved in rugby and this RFU investment will help our club to be even better equipped to welcome newcomers.”

RFU Area Facilities Manager Rick Bruin said: “The new social space will improve the quality of the rugby experience for everyone using the site and provide more playing opportunities, especially for local people in the 14-24 age-group.

“This investment will also support the club’s financial sustainability leading into the Rugby World Cup and will create a focus for England 2015 and a lasting rugby union legacy for rugby in the community.

“The refurbishment and updating of the ladies’, disabled and men’s toilets will help the club cater for the growing number of players, volunteers and supporters, and provide the facilities required to raise its profile within the local community to share the special values that distinguish the sport.”

Honorary vice president of the club, John Whittingdale OBE, MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport said: “This investment by the RFU is excellent news.

“Maldon has an enthusiastic group of hard-working volunteers and this funding will enable them to do even more for young people in the community in the future.”