The transformation of West Park Leeds rugby ground has been a huge success and ensured that amateur rugby in this part of Yorkshire has a vibrant future
Alive and kicking ...
W
est Park Old Boys Rugby Union Club was founded in 1959 by masters and parents of West
Park School, the then Headmaster, Mr TL Mathews, was to become the club’s first President. In the early years the school facilities were used, but a move to Tinshill Recreation ground with headquarters at the Welcome Public House - well, this is rugby we are talking about! - was effected in 1966. In 1969 the club achieved its first honour, winning the Yorkshire Shield. Inspired by this success the club sought to acquire a ground of its own and, in 1970, arrived at the Sycamores Bramhope. The members voted to change the name to encompass the new location and West Park Bramhope was created.
During the 70s and 80s many successes
were enjoyed and, with the advent of leagues in the 90s, the championship of Yorkshire Division 1 was also achieved. In Spring 2004 the club became registered as a Community Amateur
82
Sports Club (CASC). In the summer of 2005 the membership voted to change the club name to West Park Leeds RUFC, as part of the development strategy and a merger with Leeds RUFC - read on! Whilst all this was going on, across the
city, back in 1992, the Headingley and Roundhay clubs had merged to form Leeds RUFC from where, later, the Leeds Tykes would emerge. Their ground at Chandos Park was in a prime location and, in 1997, a planning application was submitted to the council for residential development.
Discussions ensued with West Park Bramhope about a possible merger and upgrading of the Sycamores site. The planning application for Chandos Park was eventually approved in 2007 which released £6m to transform the Sycamores site. In the interim period Leeds had merged with West Park Bramhope to form West Park Leeds. In September 2006 the prestigious Community Rugby Seal of Approval was
achieved and, in March 2007, in accordance with the recommendation of the governing body, the club became registered as an Industrial & Provident Society, acquiring limited company status.
In the Spring of 2007 building work began on the development of vastly improved facilities, including a new club house, terracing, extensive floodlighting and a state of the art all weather pitch at the Sycamores. The new clubhouse was handed over in July 2008 creating a set up and facilities that are second to none anywhere in the Country. In this impressive building there are now ten changing rooms, a gym, officials, physio and doctors rooms downstairs. The social areas upstairs include a lounge bar, kitchen and dining area, audio-visual areas, committee rooms, offices and a shop. 240 covers can be accommodated in the function room. The 1st XV pitch was completely rebuilt in 2007 and an automatic
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132