Former Wales and British and Irish Lions captain, Gareth Thomas, has joined brand ambassador, Mike Doyle on visits to rugby clubs across South Wales, passing on knowledge and experience to junior teams.

Making his KitKlub debut in Cefn Cribwr, a little bit closer to home than Bloemfontain where he made his Welsh rugby debut, before adding a second cap at Canton RFC U9’s and rounding off March with a visit to Porthcawl U15’s, the man affectionately known as ‘Alfie’ was met with the customary warm KitKlub welcome from everyone involved at the three junior clubs.

Speaking about the initiative, the dual code international spoke glowingly about the work that KitKlub does within local communities.

“People think that because I captained Wales and the British Lions, I had the best of everything all through my life and that isn’t true. As a kid growing up, my parents struggled to be able to have the time or the finances to allow me to take part in sports so I think the initiative is such a good thing because it gives everyone an opportunity regardless of their privileges, regardless of their status, and shows unity as a team which is such an important value to learn at such a young age”

Brand Ambassador, Mike Doyle is happy to be able to have such an inspirational Welsh sportsman joining him on visits:

“I couldn’t be happier to work with such an iconic sportsman such as Gareth ‘Alfie’ Thomas and he has thrown himself into this project, and wholeheartedly believes in KitKlub and what we provide for junior clubs.”

He continued:

“To be able to provide the kids with not only new kits but an experience that will, no doubt, be spoken about the next day at school and long into the future is phenomenal”

KitKlub is an initiative that was founded in 2011, Trade Centre Wales (TCW) has been providing kits to local junior teams across Wales.

The initiative provides sports kits across rugby, football, cricket, and netball, supporting all age groups, both boys and girls, from under 7’s all the way through to under 17’s.

KitKlub now provides over 400 clubs with kit across the UK, with over 100 being in Wales alone. Once approved as a KitKlub team, clubs are provided with kits year after year to ensure they don’t have to worry about the cost of replacing their kit each season.

Applications for the 2023 KitKlub sponsorship are open until April 6^th and can be applied for by going to The Trade Centre Wales website, clicking on the KitKlub page, and filling in the form.