A FULL refurbishment of the changing room facilities at Malvern Rugby Football Club is set to be completed this week thanks to a council grant.
The plans at the Spring Lane site involved a revamp of the club’s changing rooms, including women’s facilities, to ensure a more inclusive and fit-for-purpose environment.
The project has been made possible through an investment of more than £300k from Malvern Hills District Council (MHDC), which forms part of the council’s Community Infrastructure Investment Plan, adopted in March 2025.
As well as this, the club received funding from the Rugby Football Union, as part of the ‘Impact 25’ programme, inspired by the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
The grant from MHDC also supported the installation of green energy technology, including Solar PV panels with battery storage and air source heat pumps.
Floodlights will also be upgraded with LED units and the inefficient kitchen appliances, such as the stove and ovens, will be replaced.
To help celebrate the project, the club is holding a Changing Room Grand Opening Event on Friday, August 22, ahead of the first game of the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
The event will include women and girls’ taster sessions, matches, face painting, BBQ, games, and more.
Andy Longley, chairman of Malvern Rugby Football Club, said: “This is a project that will enable all our members to enjoy first class facilities, as well as offering a great provision for the community.
“We’ve now got four fantastic changing rooms which are now energy efficient, so it’s great for our carbon footprint and our energy bills as well.”
Councillor Jennie Watkins, portfolio holder for communities and housing at the council, said it is great to see the grant support women’s and girl’s rugby throughout the club.
