Marco Merlina Training Area on The Common to be formally opened

On Sunday 16 March at just after mid-day (12:30) – the ceremony to formally name and open the new training area for Marlborough Rugby and Marlborough Youth Football Club will take place on The Common. This is the long awaited ‘third pitch’ training area that will be used by both clubs, and will greatly help the opportunities for and development of the junior football and rugby players of both clubs.

The area is being named after the popular and successful Marlborough Rugby fly half team member, Marco Merlina who sadly lost his life in 2020. Marco’s friends and family felt that The Common was a perfect place to have a lasting memorial to Marco, the new area to now bear his name and a bench to be sited also marked to recognise his contribution to and involvement in Marlborough Rugby. They have raised thousands to help make this vital facility on The Common a reality.

This new training area is a big development, particularly for Marlborough Rugby. It’s been long in the planning, as it has in the gaining of approval, funding (great help and input from Marco’s friends and family) and ultimately its creation. The training area is now there, levelled, with good earth underneath. It’s seeded, green(!) and very soon will be ready for use. Locally based Earthline, one of the major earth moving operators in the South of the UK handled this task and made sure that it has been done properly.

The team at the Rugby Club have had to secure DEFRA approval as well as from Wiltshire Council, and also the RFU (Rugby Football Union). The Town Council have been very helpful and supportive in moving this much-needed facility for the sporting youth of Marlborough from what was a ‘dream’, albeit a necessary one into a ‘reality’, a flat green playing area where both young rugby and football players can develop their skills and evolve in to winning teams.

It will be an asset for the town as each of the two clubs provide a sporting outlet for several hundred young players and this will allow them to develop and learn. It reflects Marco, for whom sport was a major part of life in Marlborough and later, when, after St John’s it was UEA (University of East Anglia) where he ended up captaining the University’s 1st XV. He loved all sports, but rugby was his greatest passion. A game he played regularly and consistently from Primary School, St John’s and through to Marlborough Rugby on The Common.

On Sunday 16 March, his family, friends, members of the club will be there for the formal opening and recognition and memory of Marco, and all are welcome to attend. Later, in the afternoon at 14:30 there will be a Colts match against a very strong side – Reading Rams, so one to look forward to.