Rest Bay Sports

Rest Bay Sports is a football club that provides opportunities for local residents to participate in local organised outdoor physical activities. The Club has around 400 members, all of which require access to suitable facilities throughout the year. In 2024, the Reach team supported Rest Bay Sports in commissioning a feasibility study and sports development plan, focused on enhancing the provision at Rest Bay playing fields to address these issues.

The feasibility study identified the need for mobile floodlighting to ensure the site benefits from good lighting on and off the fields. Suitably lit pathways would ensure that users (particularly female, mini and junior participants) feel safe when travelling to and from the facilities.

A full lighting design plan to ensure safe, uniform illumination across the pitch.
Assessment of environmental and planning factors, including light spill and neighbour engagement.
Costed options for durable, energy‑efficient lighting columns and fittings.
Recommendations for installation, maintenance and long‑term sustainability.

With clear evidence and community backing, Rest Bay Sports then applied for a Resilient Communities Capital Grant to deliver the project. The capital grant enabled the club to purchase mobile floodlights, ensuring the facilities can be safely used throughout the winter months and during darker evenings. The enhanced facilities now offer increased training capacity, improved safety and greater flexibility for teams and community groups. The project demonstrates how Resilient Communities funding supports grassroots organisations to plan effectively, build long‑term resilience and deliver meaningful, sustainable improvements for local people.