Donation Means Children Can Give Rugby a Try
23rd July 2009
Junior players at Guisborough rugby club demonstrate their delight at having their own minibus, thanks to local engineering firm Henderson Campbell. The vehicle was handed over by MD Antony Henderson and his father Bill. Also pictured are the third genera
Henderson Campbell, a civil engineering and building company based in Morgan Drive in the town, has donated a minibus to Guisborough Rugby Club to help transport young players to and from the club.
The 10-seater vehicle will ensure that girls and boys from villages across East Cleveland will be able to take advantage of an initiative by the club to encourage children to play rugby.
Henderson Campbell has a long history of support for Guisborough RUFC. Not only has it been one of the major sponsors since the club’s formation in the 1960s, three generations of the family-owned and run company have also played rugby at the Belmangate ground.
MD Antony Henderson played full back for the club in his youth and his father Bill is a former Chairman. Antony’s son Adam and nephew Jamie Doyle currently play for Guisborough’s junior teams while another nephew, Tom Nelson, is a member of the 1st team squad.
Bill Henderson said he had derived much pleasure from his close involvement with the club over the last 40 years.
“I hope the minibus will enable youngsters to build up a similar affinity with it - and who knows, maybe one of those benefiting from the new vehicle may themselves be a future chairman – or even an England player!"
Antony said that he was very pleased to be able to back the drive to raise the profile of rugby with young people in the local community.
“We are stalwart supporters of Guisborough Rugby Club and have a proud tradition of being involved,” he added. “I am determined to continue our involvement with initiatives like this to bring youngsters into the club as it really is a force for the good.”
Guisborough Rugby Club’s Chairman, Dave Newstead, said that having the minibus will mean that many more children will now be able to attend the club’s summer camp next month.
He commented: “The club is absolutely delighted with Henderson Campbell’s donation. They have done a lot for the club over the years and nothing is ever too much trouble for them.
“We are trying to encourage young people into the game,” Dave added. “Redcar and Cleveland Council has given us a grant to enable us run a minibus service to transport children who otherwise couldn’t get to the club – and now we have the minibus in which to do it too!”
Over 40 children ranging from under 5s to under 14s are expected at the summer camp from August 26th–28th. When the season begins again, the minibus will be used to take junior teams to away fixtures.