A bit of the background behind how Nomads found a home !
Listen below to Dave Parkes, Southern Nomads Chairman, talking to Manx Radio about Ballakilley and the clubs aspirations for the site.
The special dinner organised to honour Mike Shimmin, Club President, who pledged a match funding pot of £25,000.00. This meant that every step we took was doubled and gave huge amounts of drive to those fundraising, reaching and ultimately surpassing this target.
This monumental gesture is what has allowed us to be in the enviable position of being able to take on and develop Ballakilley. Our very own Field of Dreams
SPort Erin is a charitable organisation registered in the Isle of Man (No. 1001).
The objects of the Charity are to :
- To raise funds to provide a permanent pitch for Southern Nomads RUFC
- To raise funds to facilitate the provision of sporting facilities for the south of the Isle of Man.
- To encourage the ongoing participation of rugby on the island.
- To encourage other sporting events in the south of the island.
Update April 2019
All,
It is great to be able to share the news that work on the Nomads pitches will start in the next few weeks. I’m sure that everyone is only too aware of much of the history of the project up to this point, and how the plans have had to change over that time. Activity should commence very soon on the Ballakilley field, as we embark on the first phase of the project to create two full–sized rugby pitches plus temporary changing facilities.
Following issues with ever spiralling cost estimates, we are no longer working with the RFU funding process and have had little choice other than to “go it alone” financially. However, work will commence shortly on two pitches and we will be working with specialist groundsman Mike Atherton to ensure the pitches are constructed to the best possible specification that our budget will allow.
The funds of SPort Erin and the club will be supporting this work and, while we will continue to seek further funding, our own internal fundraising efforts will remain vital to the success of the project. One point which has become clear is that every ton of sand used in the building of the pitches will serve to improve the standard and longevity of the playing surfaces. As a result, activities such as bag packs, H2H marshalling and any other opportunities to raise money will have a direct impact on the project. Beyond this there will be stone-picking days etc. in the near future.
One question which I know everyone in the club will be asking is “When will we be playing on the pitch?” The answer to that depends very much on the summer weather. If growing conditions are favourable, then the whole club could be on the field in September. If not, then the surface may only be ready for youth training or possibly not even that; however, there is contingency for extra seed/fertilizer included in the plans if necessary, to address this eventuality.
Reaching this point will be the conclusion of the first part of our plans. The next phase – the building of a permanent club house – will require significant further fundraising.
So, good news for the club, great progress on our long-term project and the start of a new set of opportunities for the whole club (players past, current Senior & Junior players, and parents) to further come together behind the work to turn our long-held ambition into reality.
Many thanks to all those who have worked to get us to where we are now, and thanks in advance for all the work which I am sure the whole club will undertake to take us forward to make “The Field of Dreams” our permanent home.
Dave Parkes
Chairman
Southern Nomads RUFC
