A PROFESSIONALLY designed team kit from a local firm is helping to recruit rugby players for a sixth form academy - for it is so smart they are proud to wear it to school.

Not only has the new kit, supplied by Blue Max Banner, helped the team players of the Rugby Academy, part of the Clarendon Academy in Trowbridge, to really raise their game but it is also inspiring children lower down the school to continue with rugby into the sixth form, just so they can wear the kit to school.

The Clarendon Academy in Trowbridge introduced the Rugby Academy into the sixth form two years ago, under head coach, Ashley Kempson. "The initiative is designed to maintain students’ interest in rugby at a time when most tend to drop out of the sport," he explained. "Rugby can now be taken as a fourth option in sixth form. In this capacity, it can be built into the school curriculum, making it more accessible to this age group. The course offers the students the opportunity to both nurture their practical skills, as well as to gain coaching qualifications."

As part of a sponsorship programme, Blue Max Banner on Kennett Way, off Canal Road has provided two sets of sports kit to each member of the Academy, of which there are now 21. Each player receives a teamwear set comprising jogging bottoms and a track suit, which can be worn in school instead of school uniform. For matches, a bespoke, sublimated team kit made with Orion technical, performance fabrics, has been created specifically in the Academy’s style and colours, with a matching shirt, shorts and socks. The kit is branded with Orion Teamwear as well as the BMB logo.

"The rugby students are incredibly proud of all their kit," continues Ashley. "The teamwear is stylish and comfortable and the match kit is striking, colourful and high performance, undoubtedly helping to build team morale and inspire confidence at competition level.

"I’m also really impressed with the quality. I’m the one who has to wash the kit after matches and thus far, despite some pretty horrible weather and big contact in games, there has been no staining or loss of shape on the jerseys."

Sarah Robins, marketing manager at BMB said: "BMB is the UK’s leading supplier of schoolwear. Orion Teamwear is a recent acquisition by the company and we wanted to establish a meaningful association with a local based community initiative. When we met Ashley, we were greatly impressed with his vision for the Trowbridge Rugby Academy and the deep rooted community interest at the core of the programme. The partnership offers an ideal collaborative opportunity and we are delighted to be part of it.”