A football team from Petersfield has made its greatest assist of the season as they’ve donated surplus kit and equipment to a South African club.

A little bit of East Hampshire will be on the pitch in Eastern Cape this season thanks to the generosity of the Petersfield Pumas, led by coach Mark Garrett.

Lou Niven, whose son plays for the Pumas, delivered the gear last month to St Francis Bay United to coincide with the start of practice season. 

It’s the first proper football outfit for many of their players with the donation benefiting their U13, U15 and Premier Teams.

The recipients are a community-based team from Sea Vista, Francis Bay, with more than 100 young members aged 7 to 28. 

The club is provides, for many, the only primary access for organised sport and training in their community.

“While the team primarily focuses on football, they have also introduced two additional programs: a life skills program and an environmental awareness programme,” said a spokeman for the club.

These initiatives aim to support and guide the players, many of whom come from poverty-stricken backgrounds.

Their organiser, Matt Davis, expressed the team’s gratitude to their friends from Petersfield for the donation.

He said: “The Under 13, Under 15, and Premier Team all benefited from the donation, receiving cool new gear and training equipment. 

“The St Francis Bay United team wholeheartedly appreciates the support and assistance from Petersfield FC.”