The Johnston County Rugby Park

The Clayton Rugby Football Club is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a mission to increase the participation, awareness, appreciation, and enjoyment of the sport of Rugby Union in Johnston County, North Carolina, and the United States. 

Rugby is the fastest growing sport in the United States, but field space is limited in Johnston County and not one rugby specific field exists. We have been working for years to develop a rugby facility in our area to help with the growth of the sport. Our goal is to provide rugby friendly fields that are appropriately sized, accessible, and safe for players of all ages. 

Over the past 15 months, our club has been working closely with the Town of Wilson's Mills, NC on a joint community park project. The town is installing a playground and bathroom/pavilion facility as well as providing land for the rugby facility, which we are developing. When not in use for rugby, the fields are being made available to the Town to fulfill the recreational needs of their growing community. 

The park is poised to become a hub of activity for both rugby and community in Johnston County. Joining the Town of Wilson's Mills in support of the project are the Johnston County Visitor's Bureau, Clayton Chamber of Commerce, and Johnston County Department of Economic Development. 

"As Johnston County continues to grow with the Triangle Region, we see the efforts of the Clayton Rugby Football Club as an opportunity to become the "go-to" destination for rugby teams and players from the Triangle, the Southeast United States and beyond. Locally, the facility will provide much needed additional recreational space for our citizens." - Chris Johnson, Director, Johnston County Economic Development

Project Outline

We are in the home stretch on Phase 1 of our project.

Phase 1 includes:

• Installation of one full regulation size Championship Field with permanent international grade goal posts
• Installation of two multi-purpose playing fields that are of full regulation size for rugby and have ground sleeves in place for removable goal posts
• Parking
• Storage building for equipment

Future phases include:

• Construction of a clubhouse/community building
• Grandstand seating on the Championship Field
• Expanded parking
• Scoreboard and other support structures

Fundraising Almost Complete for Phase 1

Through internal donations, discounted/donated labor and items, sponsors, and traditional fundraising efforts we have brought in roughly $350,000 towards the project. The donated site work being a large chunk of that budget. We have also recently received a generous grant from the Johnston County Visitor's Bureau to go towards the project.

We've purposely held off reaching out to friends, family, and the rugby community throughout this past year. We did it so that we could wait for our final push as opposed to using it to kick start our fundraising.

We've done the hard part, laid down the foundation, and we need your help to finish it off. We have set a goal of raising another $15,000 before the end of the year. This final push will complete our fundraising efforts on Phase 1 of our project, provide reserve in the event we have any unexpected costs, and give us a head start on Phase 2 of the project. 

We sincerely hope that you consider donating to the cause as it has a direct impact on the future of rugby, for all ages, in Johnston County and North Carolina. Not many clubs in the USA have ever had an opportunity like this, so please help us take advantage of it. Any size donation is welcome. Even the smallest stone can make a ripple. A ripple that can turn into a wave! 

Offline Contributions and Payment Plans

If you aren't comfortable using this format and prefer to make an offline contribution to the project, please contact us at info@claytonrfc.com for details. We are more than happy to accept any form of donation. For the Gold, Club, and Founder Donation Levels we are also capable of setting up a payment plan alternative with auto deduction. If you are interested in setting up a payment plan, please contact us for further information.

Give the Gift of Rugby

Your donation to the Johnston County Rugby Park project not only helps us develop the facility, but it also provides the platform to grow rugby throughout Johnston County and the region. The facility will be a source of pride in the community and a place for players and fans to call home for many generations to come. 

Picture yourself or others on a beautiful North Carolina Saturday. It's a home game and you arrive early for breakfast at the club. After breakfast, you watch some youth rugby or an international match on the big screen in the clubhouse. You then play in or watch the main event match with a packed grandstand. Fans and youth players buzzing around the park. You can smell the food from the social just waiting for you to enjoy. No need to leave after the match to go to another location for the social. Everyone in the same place to celebrate another great day at the Johnston County Rugby Park. 

A perfect day of rugby, family, and community.

The journey starts here with Phase 1 of our project. 

We need your help. The hardest work has already been done. Help us make this dream a reality by pushing us past our goal.