Canterbury Rugby Club’s successful Junior and Minis section have been given a major boost by securing a £25,000 donation from a Kent company.

The donation is from Ashford-based Invicta Food Group which comprises companies which import meat, poultry and seafood and sell wholesale to the European food industry.

The money will be used to further develop the 350 plus strong Junior and Minis section, through coaching, equipment purchase and recruitment.

Canterbury’s Director of Youth Rugby, Andy Jordan-Smith said: “ I would like to thank Colin Norton and Invicta Foods on behalf of the Mini & Junior section at Canterbury RFC for their fantastic generosity.”

“With this donation it will help the youth section grow bigger and stronger, aiding in their development as individuals and within their respective age groups, which now consists of of over 350 children.”

“Not only will this support the children but also the list of coaches, which now stands at 80 and is still growing, these coaches give up their free time, not only during the week but at weekends as well.”

“With this money we can support their development, aided by new playing equipment, coaching courses and the like. What with the Rugby World Cup starting in September 2015, this puts the club in an excellent position thus continuing to grow and support rugby within East Kent.”

Colin Norton, Managing Director of Invicta Food Group said: “The company is delighted to support the Canterbury Mini and Junior sections and all the hard work of the coaches and club officials.”

The section runs teams of all ages, from Under 6 girls to Under 18s and is one of the most successful in Kent. Games and training are played throughout Sundays.

Picture (Left to right): Giles Hilton, Canterbury RFC Chairman; Colin Norton, Managing Director, Invicta Food Group; Andy Jordan-Smith, Director of Youth Rugby, Canterbury RFC.