Rada Controls the pitch perfect choice for rugby club

Set to celebrate its centenary and requiring a complete overhaul and upgrade of its shower and washroom facilities to reflect not only its past but its future, Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club knew there was only one choice – Rada Controls.

As a community club that focuses heavily on upholding its responsibilities to its members, and has a sheer determination to develop and improve rugby in the local area – including the advancement of the womens’ and girls’ rugby offerings, Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club has innovation and ambition at its heart.

In fact, the facility refurbishment was specifically aligned with significant upgrades of the club’s women’s and girls’ facilities following the promotion of the Women’s First Team to Championship 1 – the second tier of English Rugby. These major improvements were made possible by a substantial grant to support the facility.

Having come across and used many of Rada Controls’ market-leading products at various other facilities, the rugby club knew exactly which company would match its drive to improve hygiene and provide superior and trusted water delivery.

Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club’s Commercial Manager, Will Affleck, explains. “Rada is a recognised brand and trusted by the best in the world. We came across many Rada products within the rugby world and on our travels, so when it came to upgrading our facilities, there was only one choice.”

This trust in Rada Controls and appreciation of everything it could offer led to Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club becoming one of the first organisations to invest in Rada’s Integrated Service and Products Plan (ISP).

Featuring a bespoke plan that combines product, commissioning, and service support in one flexible package, the ISP provides users, including Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club, with the peace of mind of knowing they are meeting duty of care needs and offering the best possible experience for visitors. It’s a level of support that only a trusted manufacturer, such as Rada Controls, can offer.

As part of the ISP, Rada supplied and installed its S.PA 1 silver shower panels and 320ic thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs).

A pre-plumbed shower panel, with electronic timed flow control for connection to a pre-blended supply, the S.PA 1 boasts substantial energy and water savings, BREEAM compliant flow rates, and comprehensive Legionella control compliance.

Featuring the unique patented Radatherm cartridges, and offering unbeatable thermostatic control even at low flow rates, the 320ic TMV is suitable for group showering, making it ideal for installation in the rugby club facilities.

Will continues: “We immediately felt valued as a customer and had confidence in Rada’s service and product. To that end, we know that our facilities have improved and we now have a relationship that will ensure this continues and remains.”

As the highest-placed rugby club in Norfolk and Suffolk, and sitting comfortably in the RFU National – National League 2 East, Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club regularly sees visitors coming from across the length and breadth of the UK. Consequently, it was keen to upgrade its facilities, not just for the benefit of its regular members but also travelling players and guests.

Will reveals the pride everyone at the club has had when displaying the new facilities to guests new and old. He said: “We have been able to shout about the enhancements of our facilities, attracting more commercial, consumer, and member attention. It is also nice to be able to offer these facilities to travelling players, ensuring their experience of Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club is positive.

“We’ve not had any malfunctions in inclement weather or at all. A refreshing circumstance! Our shower facilities were dated and unreliable. Now we have an exceptional and consistent product across our facility.”