More than 2,750 school children from across the area will be able to meet with their footballing heroes as part of a new initiative launched by Yeovil Town F.C. and its charitable arm.
Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust and Yeovil Town Football Club will partner with ten local primary schools as part of its Adopt-a-School programme which gives them special access to activities including appearances from the club’s first team playing squad.
It kicked off the partnership with a visit from 20 players, including Lee Collins and Carl Dickinson, who handed out ticket vouchers for upcoming matches and specially designed t-shirts.
Club Chairman Scott Priestnall said: “This is another excellent example of how far the Football Club has come in a very short period. The Football Club and Community Sports Trust’s staff and our players have come together with the support of our commercial partners and local schools to bring the enjoyment of football to the younger members of our community and their families.
“I keep beating the drum that engagement within the community is so important in professional sport, to become the hub that gives its community inclusiveness and a real togetherness. This initiative not only does that but hopefully creates the next generation of glover’s fans or rising sports stars and is something I am really proud to be a part of.
“As with the rise of pre-home game participation managed by the Community Sports Trust, I look forward to welcoming more of our younger supporters and their families to be a part of the new era of Yeovil Town FC. Well done to everyone involved.
The programme builds upon the work of the Trust which already works with schools across Somerset and Dorset to deliver fun, safe and enjoyable activities for all people of all ages, abilities and social backgrounds by using the power of sport as well as the profile of Yeovil Town FC to have a positive impact on people’s lives.
Trust Manager Sara Bradley said: “The ambition which drives our work is to make a positive difference to the lives of people of all ages and backgrounds across the community which Yeovil Town FC touches.
“This latest initiative will see us strengthen the links the Trust and the Football Club have with young people and those who shape their lives through education and their home lives.”
For the launch of Adopt-a-School, first-team players visited schools including Oaklands Primary School and Fairmead and gave each a signed replica shirt to illustrate the new partnership.
The visits were supported by local firms Jones Building Group, Tamburino Ristorante and Westbury Packaging.
Image: Len Copland
