Old Emanuel have a clear vision of a brighter future in their centenary year after the installation of floodlights in a project delivered through the RFU facilities framework.

The Surrey club put up the lights at their Blagdons ground between Wimbledon and New Malden after a three-year project which received RFU funding of £33,230 in the form of a loan of £27,230 and a grant from the Rugby Football Foundation of £6000.

Old Emanuel provided £6000 from club funds.

"The new equipment was first designated as 'training lights' then the designation changed to 'full pitch lights' with lux (light levels) ranging from about 120 in the corners to 205 in the centres," said Fergus McCarthy, Old Emanuel director of rugby.

"Old Emanuel will celebrate its centenary in 2009-10 and has further plans for growth, and the floodlights illuminate a great club starting its second century."

There are six floodlight masts, each 15 metres tall, around the pitch. Two come down to allow for the cricket season, and they are stored upright on dummy stands out of the way.

McCarthey reported: "The lights were far better than expected, being clear white light rather than the older technology yellow lights.

"Frankly the club has played under poorer lighting conditions during the day. A switch-on ceremony took place at the Annual Rugby Dinner. There was a huge "wow" factor as people saw their quality."

Old Emanuel were accredited with the RFU's Mini & Youth Seal of Approval this year - the mini and youth section are known as 'Emanuel Lions' - and are working on their Whole Club Development Plan.

Penny McCarthy, chairman of Old Emanuel, presented Ian Harvey, chairman of Emanuel Lions, with the framed Seal of Approval certificate at Emanuel Lions' end of season barbecue and awards day.

Building upon current good practice, the Seal of Approval recognises the effort and achievement of clubs that reach, maintain and improve on a required standard of commitment to the provision of quality rugby union experiences for young players.

Rick Bruin, RFU Funding and Facilities manager for London & South East, guided the club through the process of funding and acquisition of the lights. Richard Hodge, the Club Treasurer, and Ian Blair, Honorary Secretary, worked diligently on the project and gained the backing of the Old Emanuel Association and the United Westminster Schools Trust, landlord of Blagdons.

The club acknowledged help and advice from Surrey RDO Jo Martin, Rick Bruin and John Vale who became President of Surrey RFU during the funding process.