Rugby in Kent will have a brighter future after Thanet Wanderers switch on their new floodlights this week.

The switch-on will be performed by local councillor Elizabeth Poole and officials from the Broadstairs club at 6pm on Thursday, March 17.

After the ceremony, teams from Charles Dickens Secondary School and St George’s Secondary School in Broadstairs play the first game under the new lights.

Thanet were awarded a £38,303 grant by the Rugby Football Foundation to illuminate the training pitch at their Callis Court Road ground with six 10-metre floodlight towers.

The lights mean teams can train and play throughout the week and will enhance the club’s work with school and youth teams throughout the area.

“Thanet Wanderers’ outstanding work in the community has already been recognised and the new facilities will allow the club to continue to develop their links with local schools,” said Kent RFU rugby development officer Chris Wilkins.

Thanet topped the league of English clubs in the results of the Rugby Football Union’s first annual club questionnaire last year.

They were the highest scorers in the national table which awarded points for community clubs who encourage participation, have high standards of coaching, plan to improve their facilities and provide a safe environment for players and spectators.

Thanet rely on their youth policy to develop talent with a liaison officer visiting local schools to coach children. As a result Wanderers won the Kent Colts Cup in 2002, 2003 and 2004.

The Rugby Football Foundation is a charitable trust which helps clubs playing at level five and below in the English Clubs Championship.

Last year Canterbury received £1,500 from the RFF towards new posts, a scrum machine and providing two new pitches for junior teams, while Sevenoaks received £5,000 towards floodlight refurbishment.