NORTHERN retailer Booths has donated £3,000 to Kirkby Lonsdale Rugby Club to support and fund critical sports programmes aimed at engaging young people in the South Lakes in sports and physical activity.

The sponsorship will go towards funding the Colts Academy over three years, in which around 45 young players aged 16 to 18 from Kirkby Lonsdale and the immediate surrounding areas have the opportunity to play rugby at a high level across the North West of England.

The Colts Academy provides an opportunity for young men to stay engaged with sport and rugby as they approach their mid-teens, while receiving training from specialist coaches and team managers.

Brian Gregory, chairman of Kirkby Lonsdale Rugby Club, explained: "The donation from Booths is invaluable in allowing us to develop the very best in young sporting talent in the Kirkby Lonsdale area, helping us develop more players capable of playing international rugby for England and Scotland."

Matt Welsh, manager of Kirkby Lonsdale's Booths Store, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Colts Academy over the next three years, which provides a valuable opportunity for young sports players to keep physically active, make friends and improve team working skills. We hope that by working with local sports clubs to help fund physical and recreational activities for young people locally we can contribute to a healthier and happier community.”

The Colts Programme performed well last season with its Senior Colts reaching the Cumbria Cup Final and finishing second in the league and the Junior Colts finishing fourth in their league.

Two players were selected from the Colts for the North of England, one for England and one for Scotland in their respective age groups, and one player has signed a two year professional contract with Edinburgh.