East London Community Sports Association (ELCSA)

East London Community Sports Association (ELCSA) is a UK-registered charity (No. 1011654) that manages the historic Memorial Recreation Ground, also called Memorial Park or the Memorial Grounds, in West Ham, Newham, East London, in partnership with the London Borough of Newham. ELCSA supports inclusive community sport, sports-pitch hire, club participation, events, and venue hire.

ELCSA's clubhouse is at 71 Holland Road, West Ham, London E15 3BP. The registered contact details are enquiries@elcsa.org and +44 7780 185205. The nearest major transport hub is West Ham station; check the website for current access and directions.

Activities represented on the website include rugby union, tag and touch rugby, football and walking football, youth sport, ultimate frisbee, Gaelic games, cricket, and strength training. Facilities include 3G artificial-turf and grass sports pitches, changing and referee rooms, a physiotherapy room, a strength-training gym, accessible facilities, and on-site parking. Sports clubs have their own joining arrangements.

Indoor event spaces include the Main Hall (up to 120 seated or 200 standing), the Bill Wallis Lounge (up to 40 seated or 70 standing), and a small meeting room (8 seated). Venue arrangements and hire costs depend on the space and event. For current pitch availability, venue availability, prices, and bookings, follow the booking links on the relevant ELCSA page; these may lead to an external booking provider. For current events, refer to the live calendar, and confirm club training schedules directly with each club.

Core information and services

  • Home: Overview of ELCSA, its mission, sports and community facilities, and links to the main services.

  • About ELCSA: Charity purpose, Memorial Park management, historical timeline, trustees, and community commitment.

  • Sports facilities and pitch hire: 3G Astro pitch, rugby and football pitches, training grid, seasonal cricket wicket, changing facilities, Strength Ambassadors gym, accessibility, parking, and pitch-booking links.

  • Venue and hall hire: Main Hall, Bill Wallis Lounge, meeting room, venue capacities, amenities, suitable event types, booking links, and hire FAQs.

  • Find a sports club: Searchable club directory for rugby, football, frisbee, Gaelic games and youth activities, with filters and individual club joining links.

  • What's On: Embedded event calendar covering community events, tournaments, and other activities; consult this page for the latest schedule.

  • Contact ELCSA: Contact form for general enquiries and links for checking pitch and venue availability.

Joining sports and community programmes

  • Rugby clubs at Memorial Park: Introduction to Kings Cross Steelers and East London RFC/Vixens, inclusive rugby, beginner pathways, and how to contact the clubs. Verify changing training details with the clubs.

  • Never played sport before?: Beginner-friendly guide to trying rugby, football, ultimate frisbee, and strength training at Memorial Park, including what to bring.

  • Coming back to sport: Guide for adults returning to team sport, finding a welcoming club, and restarting physical activity.

Memorial Park history and sporting heritage

  • Football at Memorial Park: History of Thames Ironworks FC, West Ham United's early years at the Memorial Grounds, and modern grassroots football.

  • Rugby at Memorial Park: Rugby history from London Welsh RFC through East London RFC, Kings Cross Steelers, and the park's present-day rugby community.

  • The legacy of Bill Wallis: The role of East Ham Grammar School and Bill Wallis in the origins and development of East London rugby.

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