Rotary Club of Burgess Hill & District

 
It was brought to our attention that a new football team had just been established for age 6 and 7 footballers, under the umbrella club of Marle Place Wanderers. This team was formed by Alan Cole who is a father of one of the under 7 players. The team train at the Triangle Leisure Centre each Saturday. However, about once a month, training is cancelled so that the team can play a match against another under 8 team.
 
The problem was that none of these children were playing in the same kit. At the training sessions every child would be turning up in different kit, i.e. supporting their favourite team. At the football matches each child seemed to have different coloured socks and shorts, although Marle Place did have some old Marle Place football shirts, so there was no uniformity and, more importantly, this reflected in the team spirit when the children played together, so Alan Cole and Marle Place Wanderers Club were delighted when Burgess Hill & District Rotary Club pledged support in providing an entire new kit.
 
The new kit was presented by our President Mick Blackford to Alan Cole and each of the boys, just before they played a match against Forest Row under 8's on home turf at Sidney West, Burgess Hill. We bought 15 football kits, which comprised; a blue shirt with white arms, matching football shorts and blue socks, with our Rotary logo, our name 'The Rotary Club of Burgess Hill' and our website, emblazoned across the front of the football shirts. We also supplied two goal-keepers shirts in addition to the 15 kits.
 
There is now a real pride in the Marle Place Under 8's football team and, consequently, the team has expanded. This project was minimal in cost to our club, a mere £329, but the community effect has been massive. The children are all really happy with their new kit, and the parents are being informed about Rotary In Burgess Hill. This has become a real talking point on match days.
 
Burgess Hill Rotary Club has made a real difference for the youth of Burgess Hill.