Upper Clapton Rugby Club have secured £50,000 of Olympic legacy funding.

The Epping club have received the financial boost from Sport England’s Inspired Facilities Fund.

This is part of the £135m Places People Play legacy programme which is bringing the magic of a home Olympic and Paralympic Games into communities across the country.

Upper Clapton will receive £50,000 of National Lottery funding to enhance and improve their facilities at their grounds in Thornwood Common.

The club has helped thousands of local young people get into rugby since it started its youth and mini section in 1986. The club has a philosophy of creating success from within and the adult section of four sides is made up of players, most of which started in the mini and youth section.

Sport England’s chair Richard Lewis, said: "This National Lottery investment will create a lasting sporting legacy for Epping. This fund has really hit the mark with sports clubs.

"It shows we’re offering the legacy that people want for their local community. For hundreds of clubs and tens of thousands of people, 2012 will be the year their local sports facilities get better."

Mike Harris, head of facilities for the club, said: "Our old club house was built in 1933 and although dearly loved has reached the end of its life.

"The old buildings are incapable of adaptation and repair and unable to provide the facilities essential to our objective of creating a centre of excellence for the continued development of rugby in this area and local schools. The new facilities will also provide exciting new sports and recreational facilities for the local community.

"The Sport England award provides much needed funds for the new facilities, but of equal value is the support and endorsement of our development plans that is provided by the Inspired Facilities Award."