IF Sedgley Park are looking for the cash to develop an all-weather pitch at Philips High School, they need look no further than the Rugby Football Union's Community Club Development Programme.

Across the Pennines Barnsley Rugby Club recently opened their new state-of-the art floodlit training pitch.

The £250,000 rubber crumb surface is the first to be completed with money from the RFU's fund, which has awarded £6m to 125 projects over the past 12 months.

The programme is an innovative collaboration between Government (the Department for Culture, Media & Sport), Sport England and the RFU, aimed at improving community club sports facilities.

As well as the 60m x 40m artificial pitch and floodlights, Barnsley were able to add rebound boards for 5-a-side football and maintenance equipment. Locally, Eccles Rugby Club have benefited from this scheme.

Tigers' president Geoff Roberts was meeting yesterday with both Swinton Lions and Salford City Reds to discuss possible income streams with which to finance the project, particularly grant aid.

"Salford's plans with us are long term, because when they get their new stadium the Willows will go and they will have nowhere to train," he said.

"They are therefore looking for a suitable training facility and they think it could well be here with us, they are therefore willing, along with Swinton, to discuss ways of funding it."

On the player front the club is still searching for another second row forward, however, positive strides are being made in South Africa.

"I'm still waiting to here from our main target, but I've spoken to a couple of people out there who rate him highly and who think he'd be a big hit," said player coach Tim Fourie.

"I've made contact with both the president of Vodacom Cup side Falcons, and Frans Ludeke, the head coach of the Lions, who play in the Currie Cup, and they are going to suggest a number of players who they think will do a good job for us.

"Meanwhile, training is going well, the spirit is good, all the guys are happy, and our new stand-off Blair Feeney joins us at the end of the month."