Fawley (12 April 2007) -- A rugby team in Fawley has received a boost towards the end of the season with the arrival of a brand new kit.

Fawley Juniors Rugby Football Club under 13 team has bought a complete kit for all its players, including shorts, tops and socks, thanks to a donation of £750 from Esso and ExxonMobil Chemical at Fawley.

The grant was donated to the club under a special scheme designed to recognise the efforts of ExxonMobil employees and their families who contribute their time, talent and energy to schools, charities and non-profit making organisations. The scheme not only helps local organisations, but also improves the links between ExxonMobil and the local community.

The grant applicant was team coach Paul Truman, a process operator at the refinery. He has been coaching the team for five years and his son, David, is the team captain. Paul said: “Anything which encourages the boys to come off their PlayStations and get out playing rugby on a Sunday morning has to be great. It’s brilliant to have a brand new kit. We have been making do by scraping together various bits and pieces in the past.”

The team trains every Sunday at the Fawley Club in Long Lane, opposite the refinery, between 10.15am and midday.

The ExxonMobil Volunteer Involvement Programme at Fawley, together with its sister scheme for school governors, has so far contributed more than £300,000 to local community projects since it was started four years ago.