Council Leader Phil Bialyk has welcomed the official opening of Exeter College’s new Centre for Rugby – a community facility based on excellence, inclusivity and sustainability in sport.
The new 3G pitch and Centre for Rugby building and changing facilities at Flowerpots in Exwick represent a major investment in both grassroots rugby and the wider community.
It was created as a result of a collaboration between Exeter College, Exeter City Council, the Rugby Football Union (RFU), and Exeter Chiefs.
Partners from across the city, including Cllr Bialyk, Tony Rowe CBE from Exeter Chiefs, and William Michelmore, Deputy Lieutenant, gathered to officially unveil the new site.
The development was backed by the Department for Education, which awarded £4 million towards the project, with the College contributing the remaining funds.
The facility is now set to benefit students, clubs and communities across the region.
Cllr Bialyk said: “This is a marvellous facility for young people in and around Exeter. It will create a lot of opportunities for young people, especially young women, with the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 coming to the city.
“It will also be available for community use, and this is a great example of how we can get major things done in Exeter by working together with our partners to make every pound work for us.”
Alex Boyle, Head of Faculty for Sport at Exeter College, said: “This pitch isn’t just about high performance – it’s about creating opportunities for everyone.
“It’s a space where young people can be inspired, local clubs can thrive, and the entire Exeter community can come together through sport.”
He added: “This is a pitch we can use all day, every day, throughout the week and the weekend, and the Centre for Rugby will provide us with teaching spaces for completing tasks like analysis and access to medical facilities. We can also host RFU courses and academic lessons.
“We’re very lucky – it’s right in the middle of our training facility here and means we can provide outstanding facilities to our students and the community to support a love of sport.”
Schools from across the region have begun to use the facility, underscoring the inclusive vision behind the project.
As the pitch was opened, students from schools across Devon – all of whom are deaf or hard of hearing – took part in a day of inclusive sporting activities.
Strive 25 also delivered a T1 – the RFU’s first non-contact form of rugby – training session, designed to get young women and girls into rugby, supported by the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.
Steve Strang, Executive Director of Estates and Sustainability at Exeter College, said: “The artificial grass pitch, installed by Verde, uses a surface that is not only high-performance but also entirely recyclable. With a 100% natural, compostable infill, the pitch sets a new benchmark for sustainability in sports infrastructure.”
This all-weather pitch will be in use seven days a week, welcoming not only Exeter College students and the Exeter Chiefs, but also local clubs such as Exeter Athletic, Topsham RFC and Exeter Saracens, who will now have access to a top-tier training and matchday surface.
This facility is a major step forward in the College’s long-standing commitment to community sport, giving every young person – from grassroots to elite level – the chance to participate, progress and belong.
Appeal following aggravated burglary in Kennford near Exeter
Exmouth Installs Fourth Cigarette Ballot Bin to Tackle Litter and Plastic Pollution
CCTV link up ensures greater safety at Exeter Bus Station
Local research shows early patient feedback can predict asthma treatment success
Daily RNLI lifeguard service coming to Budleigh Salterton
Mucky approval as East Devon mud kitchen wins planning appeal
Tribute paid to Exmouth man Denva Smith, who was killed following an alleged assault.
800 homes planned on former Exeter police station site
