EXTENSIVE work is underway at the Bahrain Rugby Football Club (BRFC) in preparation for the new season aimed at improving the experience for both players and the growing army of spectators alike to ensure the facilities are the best in the Gulf region.
Building work started in the middle of July on a massive redevelopment of the grandstand to allow for better viewing of the action on the pitch. It is being built above new changing facilities for teams and matchday officials.
The grass pitches have also been improved by the same company that has created and cared for the smooth condition of the acclaimed courses of the Royal Golf Club.
“We’re looking to improve on the match day experience for not only the players but, importantly, for the spectators as well,” said GM Derek McKenzie, a former professional golfer, who is currently working on a forward-thinking five-year BRFC business plan, which will be presented to chairman Mike Cunningham, the executive committee and members in the near future.
“After clearing the area we will build extra changing rooms for both home and away teams and also a separate referee room.”
The club is ‘raising the bar’ in more ways than one, as the Scot revealed.
“On top of this will see our new and improved grandstand stretching from the current Scrum Lounge all the way down to the Players’ Lounge,” he added.
“The grandstand will engulf the new changing rooms and also the ladies cloakroom and due to this elevated position will give a far improved view of the game. Spectators standing pitch-side will no longer block the view of those seated behind.”
“Lovers of the previous Sky Lounge should also not worry as this will return and be pride of place on top of the new grandstand giving the best view of the game.
“All round, this will improve the viewing but also will give our first team, visiting teams and match officials the facilities that will be unrivalled in the GCC.”
Planning on the project started also immediately after the last game of the season which witnessed a bumper crowd and the Bahrain ‘wall of sound’ doing its job by cheering the first team on to West Asia Cup glory and the team’s first major trophy in eight years.
The Bahrain boys prevailed 47-25 over Dubai Exiles to massive roars from the raucous home crowd.
“Actual building started middle of July and has been progressing at a pace,” said Derek, “and great credit goes to the maintenance team for its efforts despite Bahrain’s summer temperatures!
“We feel this to be very necessary as we cannot stand still and simply wallow in the tremendous success of last season with the first team winning the West Asia Final.
“We need to do everything we can to give the first team the facilities that they deserve and the spectators the best experience possible while watching the tremendous sport that is rugby.”
The actual cost of the work has not been revealed although Derek said it was relatively low compared to what will be gained by completing it. “The project is certainly worthwhile,” he said.
The grass is also looking greener, Derek revealed. “The agronomy company BIGCC, which looks after the RGC, has been retained to renovate both Pitch One and also our training pitch,” he said.
“They bring the expertise in order that both pitches will not only be in perfect condition come the start of the season but will be able to withstand the long, hard season ahead without deteriorating significantly.
“Many other projects are in the pipeline to continually improve the facilities we offer our members.
“The club’s reception is long due an overhaul along with the front of the building but we should also see improvements to the main bar, changing rooms and toilets.
“It’s important that we all work towards a common goal or plan. Along with a vision and mission statement we are working on a five-year action plan that can ‘realise the dream’ for BRFC.”
Current membership is approximately 3,300 strong and September is the club’s annual renewal period and with people leaving the island, new arrivals and existing members renewing it’s difficult to be precise at the moment what the figure will be in a few weeks’ time. Chairman Mike is determined to ensure the membership remains buoyant with plans also afoot to make it easier for fans to follow the players’ fortunes on their travels too.
“Anyone who has been a regular visitor to the club over the last few months will have seen lots of little improvements, largely aimed at improving the club for the members’ enjoyment,” he explained. “A lot of the improvement is visual and practical, but we’ve also paid some attention to staff development, aimed at improving the service to members.
“As a rugby club, and a sporting facility, our priority for the next year is to build on the successes our teams had last season in both junior and senior sports. We had great support from our members throughout the season and excitement is building to see our 1st XV playing in the 2018/2019 West Asia Premiership.
“There was a huge response to the live-streaming of the West Asia Cup Final and this season we’re hoping to do it for all our away games. Our sports section remain keen to develop youth sports and have been talking to local schools about working together on this.
“Looking to the longer term, a selection of committee members have started looking into how we could redevelop the facilities over a period of five to 10 years. Our membership was much smaller when the club moved to its current location. Some of our structures were erected temporarily to meet the growth in our membership and are showing their age.
“With involvement from our members, we’re hoping to establish a vision of how the facilities need to be redeveloped to meet our future aspirations.
“With families returning from holidays and cooler weather around the corner, we’re also looking forward to a return to our junior and adult sports programmes in September.”
* The next major sporting event is Bahrain 1st XV taking part in the West Asia Champions League with an away fixture against Kandy on Friday, followed by Abu Dhabi Harlequins in Bahrain on September 14. The fixture against Kandy will be live-streamed in the clubhouse allowing fans to catch all the action.
