In celebration of its centenary anniversary this year, Chesterfield Panthers RUFC has purchased new 1919 replica shirts for its mini teams thanks to sponsorship assistance from local law firm Banner Jones Solicitors.

Based on Dunston Road, the club provides facilities for 18 teams ranging in ages of 2-18 – including two dedicated female teams – each of which practice at the site twice a week.

The minis, which consists of seven teams who compete regularly against clubs across the Midlands region in Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire, debuted their new striking red-and-white striped shirts at their most recent games against Derby.

Being a non-for-profit organisation, the sponsorship from Banner Jones Solicitors will allow the club to invest its funds elsewhere supporting the day to day running of the club.

President of Chesterfield Panthers RUFC Maria Allford commented: “We are constantly looking to develop our facilities at Dunston Road to better support our players and the wider community and it is sponsorships like this which allow us to continue in this work.

“Thank you, Banner Jones, our players are delighted with their new shirts, and we hope this is the start of a long partnership.”

Ann-Marie Lowe, Marketing Manager at Banner Jones added: “As a firm we are big supporters of grassroots sport and we are delighted to have been given the opportunity to sponsor the new shirts.   The core values of rugby are very close to our own and as such we will continue to support the club as best we can.

“As Panthers is one of the largest rugby clubs in the local area we think it is important that these facilities continue to strive, and we have everything crossed for another successful 100 years ahead!”