Historic Northampton sports club secures £20,000 boost to restore pitches and grow participation
“The revitalised facilities will ensure that future generations can enjoy the same opportunities for sport, friendship and community that have defined the ONs for over a century.”
A historic Northampton sports club has secured £20,000 of investment after successfully reaching its crowdfunding target.
The Old Northamptonians Association (ONs), based on Billing Road, has unlocked the funding through a campaign supported by matched funding from Save Our Grassroots. The money will be used to restore sports pitches and create new opportunities for future generations.
Founded more than 100 years ago in memory of 94 former staff and sixth-form students who lost their lives in the First World War, the club supports more than 1,000 adult and junior participants across rugby, cricket and football.
The fundraising effort comes after deteriorating pitch conditions severely affected participation. During November and December alone, three-quarters of training sessions were cancelled because of poor playing surfaces caused by increasingly extreme weather.
Work has already started on improving the site, with volunteers taking part in community activation days. Club members, families and local volunteers have also worked alongside The Wildlife Trust and sports sustainability specialists Final Third to improve biodiversity across the grounds through activities including planting pollinator-friendly plants, creating wildlife habitats and building bird boxes.
The funding will also support the continued growth of girls’ rugby, cricket and football, while plans are in place to create a sensory memorial garden to provide a space for reflection, inclusion and remembrance.
Stuart P Smith, head of grounds at Old Northamptonians Association, said: “We’re delighted. The revitalised facilities will ensure that future generations can enjoy the same opportunities for sport, friendship and community that have defined the ONs for over a century.”
Save Our Grassroots founder Paul Goodenough said the campaign demonstrated the power of community action, bringing together supporters, volunteers, businesses and families to protect a club that has served Northampton for more than 100 years.
The project forms part of the wider Save Our Grassroots campaign, with Northampton selected as the initiative’s first focus town.