CASTLE Rushen High School's year seven football team is celebrating after being awarded a brand new football kit thanks to Co-op Insurance and Nick Pledger of Britannia International.

The new kit, worth more than £300, was awarded to Castle Rushen High School as part of the Co-op Insurance Grass Roots programme that gives away kits to schools and local youth groups.

Nick Pledger, a former student at Castle Rushen and marketing developer at Britannia International, now part of Co-operative Financial Services, won the kit for his former school in a competition on the company’s intranet.

Nick said: "It's great to help support our community schools and it especially means a lot to be able to support my former school and help the kids get on with sports that they enjoy.

"I hope that the kit helps towards their performance on the pitch."

The Co-operative Insurance has been investing in football for almost 40 years, supporting the game at all levels including grassroots. The aim of the programme is to introduce children to sport at a young age and keep them involved in order to aid their development, giving them the opportunity to get regular exercise, learn about teamwork and develop social and sporting skills, all while having a great time.

Head of PE at Castle Rushen Guy Smith said: "We are really pleased to have a new kit for the year seven team. It’s nice that a former pupil can give something back and I would like to thank Co-op Insurance for their support on what is a brilliant scheme."

Left to right: Guy Smith, Head of PE at Castle Rushen High School, marketing developer for Britannia International Nick Pledger, year seven Castle Rushen football team and Co-Op Insurance financial adviser Martin Corkish