How We Got the Pitch, and What it Means
How It Happened
The club played its first year at L.A. Wise Park but in the spring of 1985 we moved, with the help of Terry Quinn, to the Downtown Airport on Division Street. In 1986 we moved to the pitch in south Springfield at National and Montclair near Mercy Villa. One goal of the club was to have its own field and clubhouse where we could enjoy rugby and the social atmosphere in comfort.
Finally, after many fund-raising events, SRFC bought 10 acres of land for $26.6K on Farm Road 144 to the west of Springfield in April 1999. After an extensive period of preparation the first game played on this pitch took place on October 6, 2001.
In August 2022 SRFC opened its new facility on Sawyer Road in Brookline with a 10's Tournament. The move had come about as a result of a land swap with Convoy of Hope buying the new property and developing it for rugby in exchange for the old property. This brought about a huge improvement for SRFC with two full sized rugby fields, CU power, a well, an improved parking area and a larger pavilion. This new property should be SRFC's Home field for many years to come with plans to develop a practice field and construct a changing area in the new shack.
The tremendous effort and work put in by all those who contributed to the acquisition of the original pitch cannot be acknowledged enough. Every Mudpuppy, visiting player, and spectator who has enjoyed their experience at the pitch owes a great deal of gratitude to the men and women who made this place possible. Our pitch ensures the longevity and consistency of rugby and SRFC in the Southwest Missouri area for years to come.
2 Pitches Overview - August 2022
Pavilion under construction - April 2022
Ready for Development - August 2021
The Shack - October 2021
Entrance - August 2022
Entrance construction - October 2021
SRFC New Home Field - Sawyer Road, Brookline Development - 2021-2022
Matt Wilson Pavilion 2.0
Work started on the development of SRFC's new field on Sawyer Road, Brookline in August 2021 and construction was completed in May 2022. After 3 months of irrigation through the hot summer of 2022 there was enough grass on the pitches to host a 10's Tournament at the end of August 2022.
Work starts - September 2021
Construction starts on the Matt Wilson Pavilion - April 2007
The Matt Wilson Pavilion
Matt Wilson Pavilion - April 2009
In 2006/2007 funds were raised for the building of a pavilion situated in line with the center of the playing field. The pavilion was completed in time for the match with the Pill Harriers on June 2, 2007 and named the Matt Wilson Pavilion in honor of one of the founding members of the club who died of cancer in 2006. It was a great improvement for the fans who could congregate under the pavilion on an especially hot or rainy day and also gather around for a post-match feed.
A Home Game Crowd - 2007
Sept 2015 - SCA Event
Summer 7's - June 2022
Entrance - February 2015
The Storage Container Arrives
In January 2016 after 3 years of discussion about what the club should buy/build to store, protect, and most importantly, keep the club's equipment safe, the answer arrived in the form of a 20 foot storage container.
January 2016 - unloading the container
New improved mower - June 2021
One Burnt Out Mower
In 2015 the club eventually sorted out the seasonal mowing problem when MarkO donated a mower for the club to use. Everything went well for the next 3 years with all 10 acres being regularly mown by John W and Mark O. However an unfortunate incident occurred during the hot dry weather in July 2018 resulting in the loss of this mower. Fortunately no-one was seriously injured but there was quite a fire at the western end of the club's property near the James River Highway.
In 2020 after a frustrating mowing season during 2019 with the purchase of a 2005 Dixie Chopper, which proved worthless, Cooter purchased a JD 750 for the club to use - one key - one driver - Serena.
2020 - A new start to mowing - thanks to Cooter