PLANS for a new artificial grass pitch in Drybrook could be halted by local rivalries, according to one of the people spearheading the project.

Don Parsons, RFU area manager for the South West, is concerned that the chance for a £850,000 investment could go begging as Forest clubs seem reluctant to use an RFU owned and managed facility at the Mannings ground.

An RFU Steering Committee will meet at Twickenham today, Wednesday October 18 and will decide on all potential sites nationally.

“This is a really special opportunity for the Forest of Dean,” he said.

“It’s an area known for this sport but I’m concerned there’s a very real chance we won’t get it due to low local club usage.

“The Forest of Dean wasn’t originally part of the programme, but as a resident and with my local knowledge it was obvious to me we should include this part of the South West region.

“I believe this could be a wonderful opportunity for the community but part of the criteria must be to have a Local Rugby Partnership club usage commitment.

“Low rugby demand sites from the local LRP will not be progressed for obvious reasons and if that happens it is unlikely the opportunity will be considered again in any area of the region.

“Club rivalry is a great thing for the game and should be respected but it must not negatively influence the potential of anyone’s rugby playing experience.

“In fairness we may not have given clubs enough time to make the most informed decision after the LRP meeting we held so I hope we can have some more time to properly engage with all of the clubs and listen to any of the issues they may have.

“However more time will not be up to me.”

Under the proposals, the pitch would be built and managed by the RFU and hired out to the members of the Local Rugby Partnership and also potentially football clubs.

Parsons says it would provide a ’first class facility for a first class rugby experience’ on a World Rugby compliant pitch.

The pitch could be shared between two or three clubs or teams for training sessions, knocking down the cost to £10 plus VAT.

“We are not looking to make a profit from the usage but it must be sustainable and cover the running costs,” Parsons added.

“It could be used for games cancelled due to bad weather, allowing back-to-back rugby to prevent games being cancelled.

“By using this facility clubs own training areas and pitches will be saved from over use, especially in foul weather.

“The decisions made today are for rugby players of today and tomorrow.

“There is a tremendous amount of rugby activity in the area and this facility will help support the whole local club rugby players including woman and girls and mini and junior sections.

“I hope we can work beyond tribal barriers and if there are reasons why clubs do not see this as a benefit it would be good to know what they are so we can look at overcoming them.”