MILLBROOK RFC have plenty to smile about after stepping up to the London leagues and securing a new sponsorship deal that promotes a local charity.

Brook players will go into the exciting new era proudly displaying a new away kit that pretty much sums up the whole ethos of the community club.

The sky blue and yellow shirts feature the ‘Smile4Wessex’ logo, which will help spread the word about ongoing vital work at the Wessex Neurological Centre, based a couple of miles up the road at Southampton General Pictured are, back row, left to right: Rob Steel (Pinnacle Property Finance), second team captain Macca McNeish, first team player Dave Kilcoyne, coach Mark Randall, vice captain Rich Colmer. Front:Hospital.

Already one of the most highly regarded neurological centres in the UK, it provides acute/specialist neurological care to patients from across Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, West Sussex, the Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands.

The project has been made possible with the backing of the club’s main sponsor, Pinnacle Property Finance, which supports several sports clubs in Hampshire, and KIT sportswear who designed and supplied the new shirts.

Smile4Wessex Appeals co-ordinator/director Neil Westbrook said: “The great thing about this is that it is being worn as the away strip, and the vets are probably going to be wearing it as well, so people are going to see the logo on the shirt and perhaps ask what it is about.

“I just think it is a great thing that a rugby club like Millbrook gets involved with a neurological charity.

“We know there is a lot going on in rugby these days about concussion and I think it is good for the charity from an awareness point of view and also good for rugby as it is seen to be aware and responding to that situation by tying up with a neurological charity.”

Millbrook kick off their season with a trip to US Portsmouth this Saturday and are hoping, so long as colours do not clash, to get off to a winning start in the new strip.

Coach Mike Randall said: “The lads know we had a good season last year and there no denying that, but going up into the London leagues is a different level in a lot of different things.

“One is the standard of rugby and also the commitment required by the players as well.”

Brook also plan to stage floodlit games on Friday evenings for players aged 35 plus and to take on teams from other local clubs, be it seven, 10 or 15-a-side.

l Players interested in joining Millbrook can call Mark Randall on 07585 665125 See also: www.smile4wessex.org