Caversham AFC’s under-16 Arrows team has received a £500 donation from local homebuilder Vistry.

It is the second year running that the company, which is building properties under its Bovis Homes brand at Emmer Green Drive in Caversham, has sponsored the Arrows.

Last year’s donation paid for away shirts for the young footballers, who were runners-up in Division Three of the East Berks Football Alliance as under-15s. This season, the donation has gone towards the cost of more away shirts as well as other match wear and equipment for training sessions, as the team move up to play in Division Two.

Team coach Biswa Nanayakkara said: “We’d like to thank Vistry for its continued support and generous sponsorship of grassroots football.

“The boys were delighted to have a second kit, and I had no end of requests to wear that at games. The kit was invaluable as we played a number of teams where the colours clashed, so saved us using bibs and made us look very professional. We look forward to using the kit in Division Two.”

Regional sales director for Vistry Thames Valley, Amber Bowley, said: “We are pleased to continue our support for the Arrows. The players did us proud last year and we wish them every success in the forthcoming season.

“Caversham AFC is local to our new homes at Emmer Green Drive so many of those families who come to live in our new development will I’m sure be getting involved with the club in the coming years. We are very keen to show our support for the community and for grassroots sport in the area.”