“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.”
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.
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
Donor Memorial
Bleacher/Grandstand seating on championship pitch
Expanded parking areas
Scoreboard
Field lights
Concession stand
Clubhouse/Equipment Storage
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
