Scrum down to revamp ground

8:55am Thursday 15th February 2007

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Players from Oxford Rugby Club and the Oxford Harlequins, who share their ground, swapped skull caps for overalls to tackle a tough refurbishment project at their North Hinksey headquarters.

The makeover of the clubhouse and other areas of the grounds was made possible thanks to a £10,000 donation, and the ORC club has ambitions to be promoted soon.

Paint was donated by the Headington-based charity Orinoco, which collects unwanted items such as paint, scrap and garden tools and items left on rubbish dumps - recycling them so that other people can make use of them.

ORC chairman Julian Perry, said: "We're ripping everything out and giving the whole club a blitz, including ripping out the existing President's Bar so it can be used as a socialising and function room."

Work carried out by club members, families and volunteers last weekend included painting the main function room, knocking down a wall, and refurbishing the physio room.

A suspended ceiling is also being installed in the function room, along with a stage and new floor so that it can be used as a venue for local events and groups.

Mr Perry added: "We're a volunteer club and we don't have any money, but there are over a thousand people involved in the set-up now, compared to just 350 12 months ago, ranging from Year Sevens to veterans.

"We're trying to bring quality of rugby back to Oxford.

"I want 2,000 players and 5,000 members. There's no reason why Oxford can't produce the goods."

The club also needs chairs and tables, and appealed to any clubs, pubs or hotels clearing out old furniture to get in touch with Mr Perry on 07833 533528.