Johnston County Rugby Park

“As Johnston County continues to grow with the Triangle Region, we see the efforts of the Clayton Rugby Football Club as an opportunity to become the “go-to” destination for rugby teams and players from the Triangle, the Southeast United States and beyond. Locally, the facility will provide much needed additional recreational space for our citizens.”

Chris Johnson
Director, Johnston County Economic Development

The Johnston County Rugby Park is a joint venture between the Town of Wilson’s Mills and the Clayton Rugby Football Club. During the fall of 2017, the Clayton RFC successfully negotiated a land lease agreement with the Town of Wilson’s Mills that provided the Club with land to develop fields. The Town retained ownership of the land, which is behind their community park, while the Club has a 25-year lease on the property. The lease automatically renews in 10-year increments as long as the Club remains in operation, providing rugby programs, and maintaining the facility.

Ground was broken on the facility in the summer of 2018 and all major grading work was completed in the spring of 2022. Time has since been spent developing the turf on the three playing fields. The club moved all practices to the facility in the summer of 2023 and match play began at the facility early in 2024.

There are relatively few clubs in the entire United States with a purpose built rugby facility that boasts three full international sized playing pitches. This provides the club a foundation for decades to come.

When not in use for rugby, the fields are being made available to the Town to fulfill the recreational needs of their growing community. The Johnston County Rugby Park will have three playing fields in total. Two of which are being developed as multi-purpose fields, sized for rugby, and with ground sleeves in place for removable goal posts.

The focal point of the facility is going to be the Championship Pitch which will be of full international size and have permanent professional grade goal posts. The Championship Pitch is going to also see further additions in the coming years including stadium lighting, covered bleachers, and eventually a full service clubhouse/community building. 

The park is poised to become a hub of activity for both rugby and community in Johnston County. 

Phase 1

One international sized championship rugby pitch with permanent professional grade goal posts

Two multi-purpose fields of international size with ground sleeves for goal posts

Driveway and parking areas

Pavilion area with bathrooms

Playground

Equipment storage

Future Upgrades

Donor Memorial

Bleacher/Grandstand seating on championship pitch

Expanded parking areas

Scoreboard

Field lights

Concession stand

Clubhouse/Equipment Storage

Built for Events

The Johnston County Rugby Park expects to play host to a number of rugby and non-rugby events after completion. Those events include:

Youth, collegiate, and adult rugby games

Rugby camps and clinics

Rugby tournaments

Regional rugby tournaments and events

Community events 

Founders Initiative Tribute Wall

See below for the donors and sponsors that helped bring the Johnston County Rugby Park to life!

Honorary Founder

Phillip Wright, former Mayor of Wilson’s Mills

Mayor Wright believed in us from the start and his support made it possible for us to work out the agreement to develop the Johnston County Rugby Park. Our club is forever in his debt. 

 

Individual Founder Level Donors

Anthony Bevelacqua

Blake Cowan

Philip Davies

Ed Dixon

Gary Fogarty

Michelle Hardy

Ted Hardy

Matt Koczanski

Karel Lloyd

Jason Niemiller

Manosh Premachandra

Corporate Founder Level Donors

Batista Grading Company

Deep River Brewing Company

Redneck BBQ Lab

Paws & Claws Grooming

The Perry Group

Raymond James

World Rugby Shop

Club Level Donors

Bruce Cup Choy

Gold Level Donors

Jeff Cosgrove

Stephen Daniels

The Hile Family

Stuart Mckenzie

Simon Potter

 

 

Silver Level Donors

Trevor Caterson

Hunt Consulting

Rich Munro

Aaron Sisler

Connell Smallwood

Wes Smith

Bronze Level Donors

Ben Belton

Amanda Cox

Elizabeth Hile

Robert Joseph

Mike Keese

Jon Rogers

Jon Vann

Bootlegger Level Donors

Ted Chapman

Ted & Helen Hardy

Phil & Cathy Horvath

 

 

Facility Sponsors

Support those who support us

Facility Construction Pictures

See our progress

Interested in Becoming a Park Sponsor?

Email us to learn more!