'Stoke unveil bumper deal for youth section (From Basingstoke Gazette)

'Stoke unveil bumper deal for youth section

8:00am Wednesday 21st December 2011 in Rugby By John Boyman

BASINGSTOKE RFC has been given a boost with the news that local business CameraScan CCTV has signed up to sponsor the club’s youth rugby section.

’Stoke has one of the largest and most successful junior sections in Hampshire, with more than 350 boys and girls under the age of 16 signed on as members.

Down Grange is a hive of activity every Sunday morning, with multiple games and training sessions taking place on the club’s pitches.

The club also delivers rugby training sessions to more than 4,000 young people in schools and colleges across north Hampshire through its Community Rugby Programme.

Courses are also delivered in association with the Wessex Youth Offending Team and the Youth Inclusion and Support Panel. In addition, young people not in education, employment or training schemes can go on courses run by the club in partnership with the Basingstoke Consortium.

All of the club’s youth programmes are based on rugby’s core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment and discipline.

CameraScan CCTV is a Basingstoke-based company who specialise in supplying television and covert systems. Part of the sponsorship will see the company install a security system for the club and Kevin McDonnell, managing director of CamaraScan CCTV, is delighted to be involved with ’Stoke.

“I have always been interested in youth sport and it’s nice to be doing what I can to help the club in that area,” he said. “I’m delighted to be involved because I love to see the youngsters playing sport.

“The club puts a lot of time and effort into junior rugby. They do an incredible amount for the young people of Basingstoke and it’s great to be a small part of that.”

Steve Tristram, chairman of Basingstoke RFC, added: “We are delighted that CameraScan have agreed to become involved with the club’s youth rugby section. The involvement of local businesses in the club’s community activities convinces us that sport plays an important part in children’s development.”