This valuable partnership spans the Club's transition from its current tenancy at Vauxhall Motors Sports Club and the return to Malone Field. Work on the grounds is well underway and the new clubhouse build commences next Monday.

The Club's new facilities are the product of an imaginative collaboration with Archway Homes and Wirral Borough Council in a unique and innovative relationship, described below:

COMMUNITY SCORES NEW FACILITIES LINKED TO NEW HOMES

The Eastham community is on to a winner after Anselmians Rugby Club teamed up with Archway Homes to tackle much-needed works to create a new clubhouse and community facilities.

The joint venture between the public and private sector will see a new clubhouse, community hub, pitches and parking created on land at Malone Field on Eastham Village Road.

The existing clubhouse will make way for 21 new homes, with work on the project already under way.

Samantha Dean, sales manager for Archway Homes, said:

“Anselmians have been based at their current home in Eastham village since the 1950s but the clubhouse has become tired and outdated. Working closely with the club we’ve created a scheme that provides new homes and first-class community facilities that aim to make Anselmians Wirral’s premier sporting facility. The needs of the club and the community are at the heart of the project, with the level of funding required determining the number of homes to be built.”

The new clubhouse will include changing facilities for both men and women, something the former clubhouse did not provide.

It will also include a bar area with terrace overlooking the main pitch and allow a function suite which can accommodate up to 120 guests for weddings and events with a dividing wall so functions can be held on match days.

There will be a new main and training pitches, plus the provision of two coach parking spaces and 142 car parking spaces to help to solve an on-going village problem.

A much-needed community hub with its own entrance will be predominantly run by the youth group, although there will be the opportunity for local charities to use this facility.

Eastham Ward Councillor Phil Gilchrist commented:

“A new era of community development is about to start in Eastham. Local people have long hoped for a modern community facility. Residents of the village have also sought a solution to parking problems in the area and a traffic calming scheme. The local youth hub has also been anxious to secure a new home."

“Co-operation between the long-established rugby club, the Council and Archway Homes has put together a project that meets all these hopes and needs. All the local councillors look forward to the successful completion of this.”

Ravi Sibal, chairman of Anselmians, is excited at opportunities the project offers.

“It is important that we engage our youth in physical activity to promote health and well-being and to combat obesity,” he said.

“This is a real opportunity to bring the community together in the heart of the village.”

Situated within the conservation area, the new homes development, known as Eastham Fields, offers a choice of traditionally built four-bedroom detached high specification homes.

Prospective purchasers have been showing keen interest in the properties, with 4 homes already reserved.

For more information see https://archwayhomes.co.uk/eastham-fields or contact Samantha Dean on 01829 749057.