COMMUNITY projects across County Durham will be boosted by a new sponsorship deal between Darlington Mowden Park RFC and financial services group ESRG.

ESRG officials said the company is making a “substantial” three year investment into the club’s community scheme which involves working in schools and setting up local projects to engage more people with sport.

Anne Rose, Mowden Park’s community scheme manager, said the deal would help fund new projects in the Sedgefield area focused on getting both adults and children into sport.

Projects already running in the club’s community scheme include working with English rugby star Lawrence Dallaglio’s Foundation and offering The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for young people aged 14 to 24.

Lee Rust, Mowden Park managing director, said he was delighted with the new deal.

He said: “It will enhance and underpin what we are doing as a club and as a community scheme.

“It’s certainly not just about a community rugby scheme, it is much broader than that, based across health and wellbeing, education, employment and social cohesion.

“We are exceptionally excited at the prospect and it is the final piece in the puzzle for us.”

Tony Copsey, ESRG group consultant, and former Welsh international, said the community ethos of Mowden Park was something the company was keen to support.

He said: “It is a fantastic scheme that we hope to be a part of as well as sponsoring.

“Part of that is help with employment because we all know that the North East has challenges and schemes like this are very important.”

David Evans, ESRG group CEO said the company already sponsors various projects and sportspeople in the region, including Sedgefield boxers Bradley and Jeff Saunders, and former Sunderland Ladies player and current England and Arsenal footballer Jordan Nobbs.

He said: “We do see that sport can massively benefit people.

“Most people focus on the highest leagues but I think the most important are the lower leagues.

“Very few will make a living out of sport but they learn skills that can make them community leaders.

“That is the role I see sport playing in the community; equipping people with the values to apply in everyday life.”