An event to celebrate the successful conclusion of a project that, following the floods, has brought back community sport to Monmouth saw Monmouth Sports Association (MSA) and Rotary Monmouth host an evening celebration.

It was only months after the newly refurbished pavilion was completed following months of successful fundraising that the centre for sports in Monmouth was flooded.

Guests from Monmouth Sports’ clubs, Rotary, the town council and MCC heard how, in November 2025, the sportsground was inundated by flood water from the River Monnow. The pavilion and the sports club’s storage containers were severely damaged and a vast amount of equipment lost.

President of the Sports Association Andy Tabb explained that, faced with catastrophe, the MSA approached Rotary for help.

Welcoming everyone to the sports pavilion, he explained that the evening was a culmination of the successful outcome of the joint bid by Rotary Monmouth and the MSA to the Rotary International Disaster Fund Recovery.

Working together, they applied to the Rotary Disaster Recovery Trust for financial assistance and crucial to its success, was the match funding of £17,624 raised by the Sports Association and individual clubs, from the town council, sports associations and others which, with nearly £36,000 from the Rotary GB&I Disaster Recovery Trust, resulted in the magnificent sum of £53,589 being available to replace all that had been lost.

The generous funding has allowed the old and leaking storage facilities to be scrapped and new, watertight containers installed, anchored to the ground and made resilient to future flooding. Also, it has allowed the vast amount of essential equipment, lost by the sports clubs, to be replaced. There was even enough money to repair some of the grass sports pitches severely damaged by flood water.

Chris Bennet, President of Rotary explained that Rotary were delighted to have worked closely with the Sports Association on this project. The cooperation has brought key benefits including increased funding and shared resources and enthusiasm to manage the project. Also, it has resulted in Rotary Monmouth receiving significant support from MSA to help support Rotary’s local, community fund-raising ventures, a significant and appreciated bonus.

Monmouth’s former mayor, Cllr Jackie Atkin who began a flood-relief fund was able to contribute towards the project and together with all the pots of money donated, the MSA was able to match fund and secure over £50k for the project.

This year’s mayor, Cllr Rob Barrell added that he was only talking to the sports association last year after their renovation “and then the floods happened.

“The flood relief fund raised over £200,000 and we were able to contribute towards residents, businesses and, crucially for you, the sports association. which formed part of the match-funding application for you.

“It’s good to see the place back to as it was.”

If anyone wants to join Rotary or learn more, simply access the website: rotarymonmouth.com

The Sports Association wish to thank: Monmouth Town Council; Monmouth Free Masons; Monmouthshire Building Society; ECB ( English Cricket Board ); Gwent County FA; East Gwent FA