Hartsfield Rugby Grounds gets major facelift boost

Hartsfield Rugby Grounds, the revered home of Zimbabwean rugby, is undergoing a long-awaited revival as restoration efforts gain momentum—bolstered by a vital donation of field maintenance equipment from local sponsor Spin City.

The donation, officially handed over on Wednesday, comes at a crucial time as preparations intensify ahead of the 2025 rugby season, set to kick off in just three weeks. The equipment is expected to play a key role in rehabilitating the iconic Bulawayo venue, which has for decades served as the heartland of Zimbabwean rugby.

Carrington Busili, chairman of the Bulawayo Metropolitan Rugby Football Board (BMRFB), described the contribution as a "game changer" in their ongoing efforts to restore the stadium to its former glory.

"The project for the rebirth of Bulawayo also extends to its facilities. We have a broader initiative focused on rehabilitating the Hartsfield facility," said Busili. "Receiving this field maintenance equipment significantly enhances our efforts across the various work streams involved in restoring the turf. It enables us to do more, work more efficiently, and reassign staff to other important tasks within the grounds."

Busili highlighted the progress already made, including upgrades to the irrigation system and improvements in watering capacity.

"We've added more sprinkler heads and improved piping. We used to water the field for four hours a day, but now we aim to double that for a greener, more vibrant pitch," he said. "We've also partnered with the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) to assist with labour for weeding, and work is ongoing on the grandstands with painting and structural touch-ups."

Busili assured fans and players alike that the improvements will be visible soon, with the venue set to sport a refreshed look by the end of the year and in time for the upcoming season.

At the handover ceremony, Spin City representative Brian Ndlovu expressed his organisation's pride in supporting the redevelopment of such a historic sports facility.

"We're strong supporters of rugby, from grassroots to senior level, so we decided to sponsor Hartsfield Rugby Grounds. This is one of the country's premier rugby venues—home to the Sables. This marks the beginning of a promising relationship with Bulawayo rugby and Hartsfield," said Ndlovu.

The senior men's and women's rugby season is expected to kick off at the end of May, with renewed excitement building around the improved Hartsfield grounds.