For Aidy Norwood, supporting Eastbourne Rugby Club is about much more than sponsorship. It's about giving back to a club that has been part of his life for decades.

As Director of AW Spectrum Ltd, Aidy runs an Eastbourne-based specialist business installing and replacing underground water supplies, drainage and utilities. Using trenchless technology known as impact moling, the team can install new pipes without digging up driveways, lawns or patios. The business also specialises in replacing ageing lead and alkathene water pipes with modern MDPE alternatives and is expanding into specialist leak detection.

Aidy's experience in the industry began with years at South East Water. When redundancies presented an opportunity to go it alone, he took the leap and established AW Spectrum with his good friend and fellow former Eastbourne player, Webbo. Since then, the business has grown largely through local recommendations.

And that local connection is at the heart of everything.

Having grown up playing at Eastbourne, Aidy has also served as head coach, team manager, club president - and in the main as The Gaffer! Supporting the club through his business was a natural next step.

“Rugby clubs are one of the few places left where you get a proper cross-section of a town in one room, and you can't fake being part of that.”

It's also a relationship built on trust. People at the club have known Aidy for decades, long before AW Spectrum existed, and that familiarity matters in a business where customers need confidence in the people working on their homes.

For Aidy, the memories that matter most aren't necessarily the big wins. They're the evenings in the clubhouse after a wet and muddy game, seeing former players return with their own children, and recognising the volunteers who quietly keep the club running.

Looking ahead to the new season, he's excited to watch the team develop, see young players make their first-team debuts and enjoy those fiercely contested local fixtures. He's also looking forward to following his sponsored player, Cam Burleigh, throughout the campaign.

His advice to other local businesses considering sponsorship? Simple: “Do it." For Aidy, it's a way to support a genuine community club while becoming part of something bigger than advertising.

And if he could share a rugby dinner with anyone, his choice would be Mike Teague, the former England and British & Irish Lions forward. Having worked in the water industry himself, Aidy would love to know how Teague balanced life as a tradesman with performing at the highest level of rugby.

Find out more about AW Spectrum at awspectrum.co.uk.

Meet the Player: Cameron Burleigh

Cam Burleigh, our 23-year-old flanker, has spent an incredible 14 years at Eastbourne Rugby Club. Having started playing at school, he's been part of the club for almost his entire rugby journey.

When he's not on the pitch, you'll usually find Cam either at the gym or working. But when it comes to rugby, it's the team spirit that keeps him coming back.

“The thing I enjoy most about rugby is the feeling of being a part of something and all working towards one goal of winning.”

That sense of togetherness is also what makes Eastbourne special to him. He believes the club is great because everyone buys into the same ethos and style of rugby, creating a shared purpose across the squad.

Of course, every player has a standout moment, and Cam's might not be quite what you'd expect! His best rugby moment so far? Finally being allowed to kick a conversion - and watching the ball just about dribble over the bar!

On match days, Cam enjoys the atmosphere in the changing rooms and the traditional post-match beers with teammates. His pre-match meal of choice is an egg and sausage bap - a solid choice before getting stuck into the action at flanker.

And his favourite professional player? England and Saracens star Ben Earl, another energetic back-row forward who knows a thing or two about making an impact around the pitch.

With 14 years at Eastbourne already behind him, Cam remains a great example of the commitment and club spirit that help make Eastbourne RFC what it is.

We're delighted to have AW Spectrum supporting Cameron this season and look forward to following his progress throughout the campaign.

Thank you to Aidy and AW Spectrum Ltd for supporting Eastbourne Rugby Club, and good luck to Cam for the season ahead!

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