Making More of Existing Training Space at Bourne Rugby Club
Bourne Rugby Club, Lincolnshire has seen significant growth, increasing from just six players after Covid to more than 150. With minis and juniors, senior players and a growing ladies’ section all needing space to train, the club was finding it increasingly difficult to accommodate everyone on its existing floodlit training area.
As grassroots rugby is largely played through the winter, training after dark was becoming particularly challenging. Although the club had a permanently lit pitch, repeated use of the same area was taking its toll on the grass, especially in wet conditions which was affecting match use.
Rather than continue to concentrate training on one increasingly muddy area, Bourne Rugby Club wanted to make use of more of its extensive grounds. After researching different lighting options and speaking to other rugby clubs, it purchased Ritelite Sports-LITE portable floodlights in early 2025.
ROTATING TRAINING AREAS TO protect playing surfaces
The portability of the Sports-LITE means coaches can position the floodlights in different areas, moving training to suit group sizes and ground conditions. Instead of repeatedly using the one permanently lit pitch, the club can rotate training areas and give heavily used grass time to recover or protect it for matches.
This flexibility is especially useful for smaller groups, when there is no need to use the same large training area every evening. Spreading activity across the available grounds helps reduce concentrated wear, limit muddy conditions and protect the surfaces needed for rugby throughout the season.
MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MIDWEEK RUGBY TRAINING
Having access to additional illuminated space has also given the club more options for organising its sessions. At the time of the interview, training was taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, with the possibility of adding Monday and Thursday sessions too. The lights were also being used by the ladies’ team.
The club was exploring staggered sessions, with younger players training earlier in the evening and older groups following afterwards. For children balancing rugby with other activities, offering more midweek options could make it easier to take part.
The investment in the Sports-LITE training kits has therefore provided more than an alternative source of light. It has helped Bourne Rugby Club make better use of the grounds it already has, while creating room for more teams and age groups as the club continues to grow.
STRAIGHTFORWARD FOR VOLUNTEER COACHES TO USE
As a volunteer-run club, Bourne Rugby Club also needed lighting that was practical to move, set up, store and charge. Following its first week using Sports-LITE, the club reported that the lights were easy for one person to carry, simple to put up and take down, and straightforward to charge in the clubhouse.
With limited time before and after training, this ease of use helps the club move the equipment between areas without making the process complicated for its coaches.
WHAT THE CLUB SAYS
“Whenever we all started training on the one area it very quickly became a mud bath. Before the lights we trained in one area and it was damaging the ground. Now we can circulate training more and protect the surface we’re on.
They’re so light to carry around and in terms of setting up and taking down there was no training needed for anyone, because it’s common sense.”
Aaron, Bourne Rugby Club | February 2025
