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One of Hampshire’s fastest growing rugby clubs scored a sponsorship success when a two season deal was signed with The Wilky Group
Wilky, which originated in Rushmoor in 1947 and has had a base there ever since, has pitched in to help Aldershot and Fleet Rugby Club sustain its growth.
The sponsorship package will fund kit for Aldershot and Fleet Rugby Club’s first and second teams. Founded as Fleet RUFC in 1982, the club has attracted many more players since its move to Aldershot Park and the change of name. It is now Rushmoor’s leading rugby club with a thriving juniors section that has won the coveted Rugby Football Union seal of approval and is a major stakeholder in plans to develop Aldershot Park as a major sports complex.
The Wilky Group includes businesses focusing on property development and investment, asset and loan management and the operation of serviced offices and is also known as a leading bathroom supplier and foundations systems contractor.
It has carried out a number of developments in the borough, including the Aldershot Centre for Health on Hospital Hill, which will be shared by military and civilian communities, providing health care for around 45,000 and specialist services for 250,000 and the successful regeneration of a redundant waste water works at Holder Road, Aldershot, which as Blackwater Valley Industrial Park, has created 13 acres of production and distribution space with just two plots remaining vacant.
Club chairman Malcolm Thomas said: “Wilky’s support in the club’s third season at Aldershot is one of its most important developments. Grassroots clubs such as ours are always fighting for funds, particularly when the number of youngsters playing in our junior section has increased from 35 to 120 in just three years. We run a very busy programme including involvement in many community ventures and our senior players gained promotion to Hampshire 1 this season. To keep moving forward we need new equipment and funds to meet accelerating running costs. Wilky has helped secure our future and we now have to repay their faith in us by taking our club to the next level.”
Malcolm Young, chief executive of The Wilky Group, said: “We are pleased to support a dynamic club which reflects the spirit of enterprise that is thriving in Aldershot as the town looks with confidence to the future.”
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Photo caption: Aldershot and Fleet Rugby Club chairman Malcolm Thomas (centre left) welcomes Wilky chief executive Malcolm Young, watched by Rushmoor Cllrs David Clifford and Diane Bedford. Photo credit Mike Cooper
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