Grasshoppers Rugby Club has launched its new floodlights after a Rugby Football Union grant enabled them to invest in the club.

Gs were chosen by the RFU to become a Lead Up and Legacy Centre for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, which is being staged in England and Wales later this year.

As part of the honour the club received a grant, which was used to install new floodlights on the second and third team pitches at the club and confirm a partnership between the RFU and the club to be Fit for 2015. The grant enhances the club’s facilities and provides a resource for use by the local community.

“The new facilities will improve the quality of the rugby experience for everyone using the site and provide more playing opportunities, especially for local people in the 14-24 age-group.” said RFU Area Facilities Manager, Jason Bowers.

Launch: Ruairi MacManus (captain of Grasshoppers), Referee Ollie, Jonathan Openshaw (Captain of Old Actonians)

Club officials and representatives from the RFU, Middlesex Rugby and Hounslow Council were all present for the ‘switch on’ ahead of the official launch game under floodlights between Grasshoppers Vets and Old Actonians Vets, which OAs won 43-26.

Gary Cunningham, chairman of Grasshoppers RFC said: “We are very grateful to the RFU for awarding us the Lead Up and Legacy funding for our new floodlights.

“This means we have three fully floodlit pitches and helps us continue the development of our club and the playing experience for our members. This investment will also support the club’s financial sustainability leading into the Rugby World Cup and will create a focus for England 2015 and a lasting rugby union legacy for rugby in the community. The new floodlights will help the club raise its profile and encourage more players, volunteers and spectators to share the special values that distinguish the sport.”

Leader of Hounslow Council, councillor Steve Curran, added: “As a borough we are proud to support Grasshoppers and their hard work which brings benefits to the local community and members through their sports facilities.

“The rugby being played by the Vets teams this evening was a great match to watch under the new floodlights.”