Member Article

Specsavers Funding Helps Under-18 Rugby Players In Sheffield Keep Their Eye On The Ball

Building on its support of essential grassroots sports, Sheffield’s Crystal Peaks Specsavers has announced a £1,000 sponsorship of a local rugby academy at Mosborough RUFC.

The store’s directors hope the sponsorship of the club’s camp this summer will help grassroots rugby bounce back post-Covid, giving kids the chance to get back to the club and active again post-lockdown.

The funding has been put towards an under-18’s rugby camp - running from July 27-29 – which will offer elite coaching from international coaches and world-class professionals, including former Wasps players, Ashley Johnson and Alex Rieder.

Dave Pattimore, Head Coach at Mosborough RUFC, comments: ‘We’re absolutely delighted with the Specsavers summer camp sponsorship; it’s certain to be a real confidence and skills booster for kids as we emerge from the pandemic.

’As well as the obvious health aspects, grassroots sports of any kind from an early age are hugely important when it comes to developing interpersonal skills, which will certainly have taken a blow over the successive lockdowns.

‘We’ve certainly been very humbled with the incredible support from Specsavers over the years – but the funding this year has enabled us to provide the local community with even more equipment and kit facilities for junior and senior players alike.

‘We’re really excited for the sport to emerge bigger and better than ever out of the pandemic, with the sponsorship a real enabler to reach that goal. The local partnership with the store works really well and I see it flourishing even more so post-Covid. We’ve never had more junior participation in the game!’

Dr Gilbert Vasey, Crystal Peaks’ Director, comments: ‘We have sponsored the teams and their competitions for years now, but this year, we hope it’ll give our local club a chance to step up post-covid and get grassroots players, especially kids, back into the sport.

’Whilst Specsavers is well known for its sponsorship for several sports at a national level, we felt it was only right to support local initiatives such as these to play a part in the community at a grass-roots level.

‘Eye care in sport is extremely important, so I hope the sponsorship encourages players and parents alike to maintain their own sight health to make sure they keep their eye on the ball! Whilst rugby players are accustomed to often gruelling matches, our tests only take half an hour, so there’s no excuse not to get them tested!’

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Specsavers .