A new spectator stand and changing rooms at Streatham-Croydon Rugby Football Club were officially opened by Boris Johnson this morning.

The project was one of 77 funded by the Mayor of London's Sports Facilities Fund, used to build new or refurbish existing facilities.

Already £5.5m has been invested as part of the scheme, and Mr Johnson has urged sports clubs to apply for funding as part of his Sports Legacy Programme to boost sport participation.

Your Local Guardian: Boris with young rugby players

Boris with young rugby players

A £70,000 grant from the Sports Facilities Fund, plus additional funding from SITA trust, Sport England, The Rugby Football Union (RFU) and the London Marathon Trust, has led to the new state-of-the-art changing facilities.

The old changing rooms that once welcomed teams such as Saracens and the Wasps were in urgent need of redevelopment, and now boast additional showers, dedicated referee changing rooms, a gym, physiotherapy rooms and storage areas.

The spectator stand has also been transformed and now provides club-coloured seats for 140 people.

Mr Johnson said: "We are committed to delivering a sporting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"These new facilities as the Streatham-Croydon RFC ground are exactly what my sports facilities fund is about - providing good quality sports facilities for the London community.

"We want to help other clubs to improve their facilities and I am urging groups to come forward and take advantage of this fantastic funding opportunity."

Applications can be made for up to £100,000 to cover up to a maximum of 60 per cent of the total project costs.

Expressions of interest must be made by October 4, by registering on the Football Foundation's website.