St. Peter (rugby ground)

St. Peter[1][2][3](currently known as Stade Santander International[4] for sponsorship reasons) is a Rugby ground in Saint Peter, Jersey and is home to Jersey Reds, who have played in the RFU Championship, the second level of the Rugby Football Union's league pyramid, since 2012–13.[5] The ground is located within walking distance of Jersey Airport.[6] The ground also hosts Jersey's Siam Cup games against Guernsey[7] every 2 years.[8][9]

Stade Santander International
Full nameStade Santander International
LocationSaint Peter, Jersey
OwnerJersey Reds
Capacity4,000
Surfacegrass
Tenants
Jersey Reds

Developments

Due to Jersey's relatively quick rise through the leagues, the St. Peter ground has had to undergo redevelopments quickly. In order to prepare for promotion to National League 1 in 2011, Jersey applied for planning permission for floodlights to be erected on the ground.[10] Jersey had previously received a grant to erect floodlights on the nearby training pitch in 2007.[11] Floodlights are a mandatory requirement for clubs in National League 1.[12] This came a year after the opening of the Lord Jersey Stand and a new pavilion by William Villiers, 10th Earl of Jersey and the Lieutenant Governor of Jersey, Andrew Ridgway[13] to go with their clubhouse.[14] They were built mainly to grant better facilities for spectators.[15]

In 2012, with Jersey closing in on promotion to the Championship, the club announced possible plans to build a new terrace as well as a gym and player accommodation. They averaged about 2,000 fans in 2011-12, which easily led the third-level National League 1, and frequently drew over 3,000 for big matches including a club record crowd of 3,648 for the 20-18 win over Rosslyn Park on 25 January 2012.[16][17]

History

The ground has seen a number of major events in Jersey's history. In 2010 it hosted Jersey's National League 3 South East play-off victory against Taunton R.F.C..[18] Jersey then went on to win the final against Ampthill at Twickenham Stadium in London, England. The St Peter ground also hosted Jersey's matches against Old Albanian RFC[3] and Shelford in 2011 that made sure that Jersey would reach the National League 2 South play-offs.[19][20] The ground also hosted Jersey's National League 2 South play-off final victory against Loughborough Students RUFC.[21][22]

However, arguably the two biggest events in Jersey's rugby history to date—their 37–13 win over Coventry that secured their promotion to the 2012–13 Championship, and their 41–31 win over Bedford Blues that saved them from relegation at the end of the 2013–14 Championship—did not take place on the island. The former match was played in Coventry,[23] and the latter in Bedford.[24]

References
  1. "James Copsey's late try sees Jersey beat Shelford". BBC Sport. 30 April 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
  2. "National rugby selection rules could change". Channel Online TV. 20 May 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
  3. "Jersey leave it late at St Peter". Channel Online TV. 17 April 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
  4. "Jersey Reds six-year deal | Santander International". www.santanderinternational.co.uk. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  5. Pryor, Tim (23 April 2012). "Jersey promoted: The rise and rise of an island side". BBC Radio Jersey. BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
  6. "How to find us". Jersey RFC. 1 November 2010. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
  7. Batiste, Rob (17 May 2011). "Saving Siam plan". This Is Guernsey. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
  8. "Siam cup special". Channel Online TV. 13 May 2011. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
  9. "Jersey thrash Guernsey to retain Siam Cup - Rugby: Home Games". Channel Online TV. 16 May 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
  10. "Jersey Rugby Club applies to install new floodlights". BBC News. 10 May 2011. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
  11. "Ministerial Decisions". States of Jersey Government. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
  12. Article posted on 28 April 2011 - 3.00pm (28 April 2011). "Let there be light!". This Is Jersey. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
  13. "Jersey Rugby Club open a new stand in St Peter". BBC News. 23 September 2010. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
  14. "The Clubhouse". Jersey RFC. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
  15. "History". Jersey RFC. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
  16. "Jersey Rugby Club plan changes to St Peter". BBC Sport. 21 March 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
  17. "Jersey 20 - 18 Rosslyn Park - Match Report & Highlights". Sky Sports. 25 January 2012.
  18. "Jersey Rugby Club reach National 3 final at Twickenham". BBC Sport. 25 April 2010. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
  19. "Jersey come from behind to claim at least play-off spot". BBC Sport. 16 April 2011. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
  20. Article posted on 30 April 2011 - 6.09pm (30 April 2011). "Jersey in play-offs for promotion". This Is Jersey. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
  21. "Jersey beat Loughborough Students 30-5 in National One play-off". BBC Sport. 28 May 2011. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
  22. "Jersey RFC promote to National League 1". Hampshire Rugby. 30 May 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
  23. "Jersey promoted to Championship by beating Coventry". BBC Sport. 21 April 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
  24. Pryor, Tim (26 April 2014). "Jersey secure RFU Championship survival after 41-31 Bedford win". BBC Radio Jersey. Retrieved 12 June 2014.

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