Castletown Rugby Club revealed its new kit ahead of Saturday’s Manx Plate match with local rivals Emerging Nomads.

Following the death of his mother to encephalitis, Mark Waterhouse and his family are trying to increase awareness of the neurological condition.

As part of this, Waterhouse has kindly agreed to sponsor the Poulsom Park outfit’s new shirts in the name of the Encephalitis Society who increase awareness and raise money to support those who have been effected by the disease.

Mark’s son Joel Waterhouse, who is a committee member and player for Castletown, said: ’I hope that playing in the shirt every week will help raise awareness of the life-altering condition within the community.’

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain and is caused either by an infection, or through the immune system attacking the brain in error.

The condition effects around 6,000 children and adults in the UK each year and has a high mortality rate, while survivors can be left with a brain injury.

Estimates suggest encephalitis costs the NHS around £40 million a year - not including the costs of rehabilitation and long-term care - and affects more people each year than Motor Neurone Disease, cerebral palsy and bacterial meningitis.

More details about encephalitis can be found at www.encephalitis.info

In addition to having the Encephalitis Society on the front of the shirt, Castletown’s new kit also have a dedication on each sleeve.

The first is to former captain Lyndon Casey who sadly passed away last year.

Club chairman Peter Martin said: ’Lyndon was a great part of the club who is sorely missed by all who knew him, both the elder lemons who he played with and the newer members who knew him from recent tours, the last one as recently as March 2019.

’It therefore seemed only fitting that a dedication to him was included on the sleeve for all players to wear.’

Finally, CRUFC has shown its appreciation to the Viking Hotel in Castletown by including its logo on the other sleeve as it continues to put on food for it after every home match.

Captain Kunal Patel added: ’The playing tops this year really sum up what Castletown is all about - it is a club based around the players and the community.

’While we may not be the biggest in the island, everyone who has been associated with Town is proud to be.

’We also hope that our new shirts will able to raise awareness of encephalitis.’

Patel finished by saying: ’Everyone at the club would like to thank Mark Waterhouse for his kind donation and Marcus at the Viking pub for his continued support.’

The club train on Tuesday evenings at Poulsom Park from 7pm throughout the year.

Get in touch via Facebook or pop down on any Tuesday for more information.