£200,000 Secured for Next Phase of Barry RFC Sports & Community Hub Redevelopment

Barry RFC has secured £200,000 through the Barry Plan for Neighbourhoods, marking a major funding milestone in the club’s ambitious plans to transform its historic Reservoir Fields home into a modern, inclusive Sports & Community Hub for the town.

The investment will help unlock the next stage of a wider, phased redevelopment programme designed to create a sustainable, accessible facility that supports sport, health, wellbeing, and community activity year-round.

The club has undertaken extensive engagement and technical work to shape the project, with more than 350 people responding to its community consultation. Of those, 98% supported improved facilities, 92% said they would be likely or very likely to use them, and 69% indicated they would use enhanced facilities at least weekly.

Barry RFC’s role has already expanded beyond its traditional rugby base. Reservoir Fields now hosts rugby union across Minis & Juniors, youth and senior levels, alongside football, rugby league, community events, wellbeing activities and partnerships with local organisations.

The redevelopment is being progressed through a phased approach, allowing individual elements to move forward as funding, planning and technical requirements are secured. The programme includes improved access and site infrastructure, a modern, flexible community hub, enhanced sporting facilities, gym and wellbeing provision and longer‑term development of a World Rugby and FIFA‑compliant 3G multi‑sport pitch.

Dan Maggs, Director & Head of Partnerships at Barry RFC, said “Securing £200,000 through the Barry Plan for Neighbourhoods is a huge milestone for the club and, more importantly, for the wider community we are trying to serve.

“We started this journey with a simple question: how can Barry RFC do more for Barry? What has followed has been months of consultation, planning, design work, meetings and building the evidence needed to demonstrate that there is a genuine need for this type of facility.

“The response from the community has been overwhelming. This isn’t simply about improving a rugby club. Our ambition is to create a place where sport, community, health and wellbeing can come together and where people of all ages and backgrounds feel that the facility belongs to them.

“There is still a significant amount of work ahead and this £200,000 does not fund the entire redevelopment, but it represents a major vote of confidence in what we are trying to achieve and gives us real momentum as we move towards delivery.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Barry Plan for Neighbourhoods team and everyone who has supported the project so far. This is another important step towards creating something that can serve Barry for generations.”

The £200,000 award will support the next stage of development while the club continues discussions with funders, public bodies, community partners and the private sector around the wider programme.