RUGBY legend Richard Hill MBE is supporting a campaign to improve sports facilities at a Salisbury school.
The England Rugby team manager and 2003 Rugby World Cup winner is returning to his old school at Bishop Wordworth’s next month for a special fundraising event.
In July, Bishop Wordsworth’s Grammar School launched its Pitch In campaign to raise £200,000 for a new multi-use games area (MUGA) at its Britford Lane sports ground.
However, if that amount cannot be raised it has plans for a smaller scheme with a a fundraising target of £100,000.
The school’s director of sport, Richard Demain-Griffiths said: “It is fantastic to have Richard Hill supporting the school especially given the busy autumn he will have just had, managing another young Bishop's alumnus, Cadan Murley, as he features in the England set up for the first time following another impressive season at Harlequins RFC.”
The new MUGU will mean it can be used throughout the year and feature retractable cricket lanes. The facilities will also be opened up for the community to use.
The sport facilities have not been updated since the addition of the sports hall in 2004 and since then pupil numbers have increased.
The introduction of girls into the sixth form has also led to sports provision being expanded at the school.
Mr Demain-Griffiths says since the campaigns launch in the summer it has “built considerable momentum” adding: “With alumni support, in particular from Forbes 30 under 30 company Furniture Box, as well as parental and student efforts, we are a third of the way to our minimum target of £100,000, to build a surface suitable for all sports to train on including football, hockey, lacrosse, netball and rugby.”
An Evening with Rugby Legend, Richard Hill MBE, takes place on Thursday, December 15, at 6.30pm, and also includes the option of dinner after the talk.
He will be in conversation with Salisbury RFC stalwart Richard Larcombe and during the evening will share stories from his time on and off the pitch.
“We hope to be pushing our halfway target by Christmas, following our upcoming event with fellow alumnus, British & Irish Lion and Rugby World Cup winner, Richard Hill MBE,” said Mr Demain-Griffiths.
“To have the school, the local club and England rugby all represented gives the potential for a really insightful and entertaining evening for all.”
For tickets visit: bwspa.org.uk or bwsnetwork.org.uk. Alternatively, contact Caroline Popham by emailing cep@bishopwordsworths.org.uk
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