Dear Members,
Next year, 2026, will be the 150th anniversary of Tynedale RFC and it is both a reminder of the longevity of the club and hopefully a strong indicator of its future longevity.

As we think about improvements to our facility it forces us to reflect that we need to think long term – not just about the next couple of years.
We have a very thriving and vibrant club with over 20 teams, spanning Minis and Juniors, Womens and Senior Mens’, and a wonderful supporter base of both Non-Playing Members and paying match spectators.
In addition we are very lucky to have one of the most wonderful and picturesque grounds in the country. We want our grounds to progressively reflect the standing of the club and its ambition to be a top community sports hub, centred its rugby team. We already have 3 football pitches and 3 tennis courts on our grounds, and we are very open to other sports wanting to set up facilities at Tynedale Park.

With this in mind , I would like you to know that we have set up a Project Team to help us determine a long term vision for the future of Tynedale Park. This will help us set out a road map of improvements, and make sure that our near term plans and improvements are consistent with our long term vision. For example it will help us determine whether a project should be undertaken at all, the priority it should have, how it should be implemented, and where it should be located.

I am very pleased to announce the composition of the Project Team:
• Richie Gledson, Head of Commercial on Management Committee, MD of Sky High Sports, son Bruno recently started in the Minis.
• Chris Wearmouth, ex 1st XV Captain who has played over 400 matches in National League Rugby, with over 130 at Tynedale…and is still playing!
• Amy Muir, Plant Director of Sales at Egger and recently appointed to the Board, former Tynedale Panther who played for the County and North Of England, and daughter Esme recently started with the Minis.
• James Ferguson, Support to Management Committee on Facility projects, Senior Engineering Manager at Deliveroo, current player with Hadrians, son William recently started with Minis.
• Bart Milburn, Director of Milburn Planning, an Independent Planning Advisor operating in the North East, ex Tynedale player, coach, and daughter Claudia playing in the Under 12’s

Their brief is to consult widely across the club and solicit opinions on how the grounds can be developed to give us a truly fantastic sports complex over the decades to come. All 5 of the team are working people with demanding jobs, so it is realistically going to take a good number of months to work through the demands of the project.

At the moment this might seem like dreamy ambition when we operate at breakeven, and such funds as we have in the club need to be held in reserve in the event of a recurrence of flooding. It is our intention to turn our minds to serious fundraising in the New Year and to have as its focus improvement projects which the Team will help us to identify.

This is an important project as it will help us make better decisions about future projects, I wish them every success in helping put together a great vision for the Future of Tynedale Park.

Paul William, CEO