Portico Vine ARLFC was established in 1974 as a family club at the heart of its community. Fifteen years ago, the club bought some old buildings in Scholes Lane Playing Fields and brought them, and the park, back into community use. Since then, the club has outgrown the original facilities and did not have the space for club or community activities which have developed alongside the club, home to 11 teams and over 100 volunteers. To cater for this growing need, the club embarked on a £500k project to build a community room, kitchen, and WC’s.
To help towards this project Valencia Communities Fund were asked to fund towards the carpark, windows, doors, and roller shutters.
Angela Thomas, Treasurer of the club, said “The new clubhouse has had a hugely positive impact on the local community. We are able to host events and welcome guests on a scale that was simply not possible before this project. In addition to hosting rugby festivals, accommodating league matches for all of our teams, and being able to host fundraisers, presentation evenings and Christmas events, the club has also welcomed the Tongan national rugby league team for a celebration of Tongan culture and cuisine whilst they were based in St Helens during the Rugby League World Cup.”
