MISTLEY Rugby players have been able to purchase four post protectors for their current season due to a grant by broadband provider Gigaclear.

The Mistley Rugby Union Football Club (RUFC) have been given a grant of £1,000 from the broadband provider Gigaclear’s £100,000 Rural Sports Club Fund which aims to support teams based in rural communities across 26 counties.

Due to the fund, Mistley RUFC has been able to purchase four post protectors - which cover posts and improve player safety -  for the current season.

Players Maro Itojes, 30, and Alex Matthews, 31, in Mistley have been given a boost towards achieving their dream thanks to a new sports fund backed by former England cricketer Darren Gough.

While the club’s 1st XV Captain, Drew Whittock, 28, said: “The new post protectors will provide a much greater level of protection for our youth, ladies’ and men’s players.

“Player safety is paramount and the quality of this new equipment means they will be in use for many seasons to come. We are glad to have been able to benefit from Gigaclear’s Rural Sports Club Fund and we look forward to continuing this partnership into the future.”

Ambassador - Former England cricketer Darren Gough is a Gigaclear sports ambassador Ambassador - Former England cricketer Darren Gough is a Gigaclear sports ambassador (Image: Gigaclear) While fund ambassador Darren Gough, 54, added: “Since launching the fund, it has gone from strength to strength, providing valuable support where it is needed most.

“It’s great to see so much kit and equipment being sent out to rural sports clubs such as Mistley RUFC. I believe it will help make a difference to players now and to the rural sports teams of the future.”

The community club, which was established in 1983, play their matches at Furze Hill Playing Fields, in Mistley, and the club has a large youth section as well as having senior teams.

More than 3,300 homes and businesses in Mistley and neighbouring Manningtree are now able to access Gigaclear’s full fibre broadband offering ultrafast speeds up to 900Mbps and for more information visit Gigaclear.com

While if you are interested in playing Rugby get in touch at https://mistleyrufc.com/contact/ or email youth@mistleyrufc.com for more queries