A rugby club has launched a £500,000 fundraising campaign to upgrade its all-weather pitch facilities.
GHA Rugby Club and The GHA Charity are aiming to improve facilities at Braidholm through the 3G500 campaign, which will fund the refurbishment of their existing 3G pitch and the conversion of a third grass pitch into a second all-weather surface.
The project will help the club meet growing demand from members and the wider community by enabling more rugby and other sports to take place year-round.
Gordon Adams, campaign director for 3G500 and past president of GHA Rugby Club, said: "Every generation of GHA members has inherited something special.
"The facilities we have today are here because people before us gave their time, energy and support to the club.
"We're now asking this generation to do the same.
"This project is about making sure Braidholm continues to provide opportunities for people of all ages to enjoy sport for years to come."
A second 3G pitch would allow more training sessions and matches to go ahead during winter months, easing pressure on grass pitches and reducing the need for repairs and closures caused by wet weather.
The fundraising campaign comes at a time of continued growth for GHA, with rising membership and increasing numbers of children, young people, and adults participating.
Investment in girls’ and women’s rugby, as well as school outreach programmes, is also driving demand for reliable playing and training space.
Each week, 600 GHA players from primary one to senior level use the Braidholm pitches, with many training or playing three times a week.
The club is now calling on everyone connected to GHA to get involved in the campaign, from past and present players to parents and supporters.
Adam Gordon, managing director of GHA, said: "We’ve reached the point where we simply need more all-weather space.
"Our existing all-weather 3G pitch is in constant use and, when the weather is particularly bad, training and matches on the grass pitches have to be cancelled.
"Refurbishing the existing all-weather 3G pitch and creating a second 3G pitch would give GHA a more reliable space for our own training and rugby matches whilst ensuring that the other clubs and organisations can use Braidholm throughout the year too.
"We know that being able to get out and play sport is important for everyone’s physical and mental wellbeing, and we don’t want poor weather to be a barrier to that.
"It will make a huge difference to all those that use Braidholm for sport."
Braidholm is also used by a range of other sporting organisations, including Glasgow City FC, East Kilbride Pirates, the OLM Football Team, First Touch Football, Glasgow Gaels Gaelic Football Club, Giffnock North Athletic Club, Stamperland Football Club, and the University of Strathclyde.
The ground has also hosted professional rugby teams such as the Vodacom Bulls, Hollywoodbets Sharks, DHL Stormers and Emirates Lions when they have played against Glasgow Warriors.
In addition to players and coaches, the club regularly welcomes volunteers, parents, supporters, visiting teams, and their fans.
Around 11,000 local people attend events at Braidholm each year, including the Giffnock Beer Festival and GHA’s fireworks display.
The club hopes that local businesses, families, and the wider community will also support the campaign.
Several fundraising events are already planned, and more ideas are being developed.
The club is encouraging anyone with a fundraising idea, big or small, to get in touch.
Volunteers are also needed to help organise events, approach sponsors, support marketing and communications, and assist with administration.
Anyone interested in supporting the campaign, volunteering, or sponsoring 3G500 can find more information and register their interest through the 3G500 webpage at https://www.gharugby.co.uk/introducing-3g500-building-the-future-of-rugby-at-braidholm-call-for-volunteers/
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