The club has been awarded £50,000 by Sport England through their ‘Inspired Facilities’ programme which is part of the legacy funding for the 2012 London Olympics.

As many of you know we have been planning for some time to renovate or replace the clubhouse and bar. It was built back in 1965 using volunteer labour but is rapidly approaching its sell-by date! Ideally we would like a new building that gives us a bit more space, perhaps adds some more toilets and a proper lobby entrance. We could then hold more social events as well as being able to hire the building out to other community groups in Kennington.

The project is unlikely to cost less than about £75,000 and, depending on what we do, could be closer to £100,000. Obviously to attain such a figure would require significant grant aid and I am delighted to tell you that we have been successful.

We are extremely honoured to have received this award as there is only £10 million available in this round for all sports across the whole country. It is a vote of confidence in the club and our efforts over the last few years.

But, and it’s a big but, our real efforts must now be redoubled as the club will have to find the remainder of the funding. It is quite likely that the majority of this will come through a commercial bank loan but this will, of course, need to be repaid over a period of years. Therefore, if we are to see the clubhouse project come to fruition, we will need a consistent and concerted fund raising effort right across all members of the club. Everyone will benefit from the new facilities and everyone will need to pull their weight in ensuring it is built to the highest standard so that the club can go from strength to strength.

I am confident that given this fantastic news all of you will be inspired to contribute in whatever way you can and that within the next year or so we will be opening a wonderful new clubhouse.

Very best wishes to you all.

Peter Grant