By Heather Graves
Correspondent
GREEN BAY – Local rugby clubs are looking to plant roots in northeast Wisconsin.
The Northeast Wisconsin Rugby Foundation, in partnership with the Green Bay Rugby Football Club and Green Bay Youth Rugby, has officially announced the launch of the fundraising portion of the plan to build the first set of dedicated rugby fields in the area – a $2.5 million capital fundraising campaign over five years.
Matt Goetsch, the director of Green Bay Youth Rugby, said the rugby complex will facilitate the continued growth of youth rugby in the area.
“We have experienced unprecedented growth of youth rugby over the last six years,” said John Fetherston, president of the Northeast Wisconsin Rugby Foundation.
Rugby has been present in northeast Wisconsin since 1972 with the creation of the Green Bay Rugby Club.
Growth has been substantial since then, but local clubs have never had a permanent, dedicated home.
Goetsch said due to the growth of youth rugby – which now includes co-ed youth flag for grades kindergarten through eighth grade, middle school girls’ and boys’ tackle programs and high school boys’ and girls’ tackle teams – there is a big need for additional fields in the area.
The plans for the rugby complex are based on a multi-year, phased-in plan.
Goetsch said the plan has been developed over the last two years with cooperation from the Northeast Wisconsin Rugby Foundation, the Green Bay Rugby Football Club and the Town of Lawrence.
“The Town is excited to have one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States choose to build their local home in Lawrence,” said Patrick Wetzel, Town of Lawrence Administrator.
The initial phase of the project includes the purchase of 8.5 acres, development of two fields and the first section of grandstand, which includes a concession stand, bathrooms and the first set of seating for 250 people.
This phase is estimated to cost $800,000.
“We plan to purchase the land as soon as we have raised the funds,” Goetsch said. “Lawrence has already acquired the land and is working closely with the foundation. The town is planning to start construction of the infrastructure for the public areas in less than a month.”
Goetsch said the goal would be to have the land purchased and the first two fields laid out in 2020.
Future phases include adding additional fields and an expansion of the grandstand to include additional seating, clubhouse, locker rooms, more storage and viewing deck.
This portion of the project is estimated to cost $450,000.
“The location in Lawrence is perfect, as it’s between two rugby hot spots – Green Bay and the Fox Valley,” Goetsch said. “The complex will allow all local teams to focus on these values, without the added worry of finding a field to play on every year.”
The project has already received a large backing from MCL Industries and Bay Tek Entertainment with a combined donation of $100,000 over the next four years.
If all goes well and the needed money is raised and two fields are in place in 2020, Goetsch said they don’t plan on playing on the fields until 2021.
“We want to give the grass enough time to grow roots,” Goetsch said.
Goetsch said anyone who makes a donation of $1,000 or more will have their names added to a permanent sign which will highlight those who invest in the future of rugby in the area.
Goetsch said the project also has naming rights for the complex, fields and other areas available.
“We need your help to make this dream a reality,” he said.
For more information on the project and/or giving opportunities, contact the foundation at 920-883-0325, via email at [email protected] or visit www.newrugbyfoundation.org.