A CITY insurance firm has announced a three-year sponsorship deal with Salisbury RFC's junior and colts teams.

With offices in Salisbury, NFU Mutual Wessex says its sponsorship will help support the purchase of new match day kits for the sides.

Director of youth rugby at Salisbury RFC, Steve Allen, said: “Nearly 400 junior boys and girls aged from six to 18-years-old train and play regularly at the club, developing a love for team sport, staying active, having fun and making friends for life.

"We are delighted that NFU has chosen to sponsor our junior and colt teams, to help the purchase of their match day kit, and support the continuing development of youth teams within the club.”

The club is a thriving community with more than a thousand members. For over 100 years the club has provided rugby and social opportunities for the people of Salisbury and the surrounding areas.

Its youth section has an impressive track record of producing international players, such as Richard Hill (England, World Cup winner, British and Irish Lion), Poppy Cleall (Current England Ladies no. 8) and Mike Brown (England Full Back).

In March 2019, both Josh Gray and Xavier Hastings were selected for England U18 in the Six Nations match against Scotland. They also both played junior rugby for Salisbury and both were in the team that won the U14 Dorset & Wilts Cup in 2015.

Agent at NFU Mutual Wessex, Simon Hedges, who has had a long association with Salisbury RFC, said: “NFU Mutual Wessex has been sponsors of Salisbury RFC for many years, and looked after the insurance needs of many people in the local area.

"We are delighted to extend the sponsorship to further support the Club’s ongoing ambitions to develop youth rugby in and around Salisbury.”