Players at Whitfield Juniors Football Club have scooped a £250 sports award which is going towards new training tops.

Their coach, Gary Beeden, works as a lead field engineer at UK Power Networks and nominated the squad for his employer’s Team Sport Award.

Gary helps keep electricity supplies flowing to homes and businesses across the local area and volunteers as coach at the local football club in his free time where his son Rafe, who is eight, plays as a centre back.

He said: “Donations really help with securing equipment for the team because the club is run by volunteers and subscriptions. My son was excited about being able to play football again with his friends. A lot of time was spent playing computer games during lockdown so it’s great for them to be running around in the fresh air and playing sport with their friends. Playing in the team is good for their social skills, fitness and helps them learn about working in a team.”

The team normally train on Thursday nights at Aylesham Welfare Leisure Centre and play every Saturday morning at Whitfield Recreation Ground in the East Kent Youth League.

The Team Sport Award scheme is run by UK Power Networks to encourage staff to volunteer in the community and is aimed at promoting healthy living, teamwork and developing sports opportunities. Last year, more than 60 local sports teams connected to UK Power Networks’ staff benefited from a share in £15,500.