A YOUTH football team have been given a boost after securing a new sponsorship deal.

Halstead Town FC Under 16s Blues have a new kit sponsor in the form of Colchester-based charity, Community 360.

The charity was formed to assist charities, voluntary and community organisations in Colchester and Braintree.

It is hoped the sponsorship will help the team thrive and encourage more youngsters to take up the sport.

Community360 CEO, Tracy Rudling, said: “We're always looking for ways to help our local community and the idea of sponsoring grass roots football is appealing as it provides so many benefits to young people.

"Sport plays an important role in helping young people build confidence as well as keeping fit and is a very important part of growing up.

"It not only keeps you healthy but allows you to develop communication skills”.

She added: “I hope that by sponsoring the kit we are helping the players really feel part of a team and will encourage more young people to get involved with this great local club.

"It’s great to be in a position where we can help the local community and wish them every luck for the season ahead.”

Sponsorships are vital for grassroots football as without them costs such as the kits would have to be passed to the players or their parents.

Manager and Fixture Secretary for Halstead Town Football Club, Claire Jeggo, said: “Halstead Town under 16s Blues would like to thank Community360 for kindly sponsoring our home kit for this season – it is greatly appreciated.

"Without the help of local businesses, we would have to pass the cost of the kits to the parents and did not want this to be a barrier to children taking part in sport.”

Halstead Town Chairman Carl Pearse added: "We cannot thank our sponsors enough. Without their support we as a club would struggle to continue to provide football activities for over 300 children in the local area.

"I am delighted with the link up with Community360, it is great that the club is supported by such a wonderful charity as they do such a wonderful job in the local community.

"We like to work and help our sponsors as much as we can and we hope we can build on this relationship in the future”.