Last weekend, AFC Bournemouth Community Sports Trust welcomed twenty young people from the AFC Bournemouth and Southampton Premier League Kicks programmes to Vitality Stadium.
The twenty players, representing their respective football clubs, played their own 5-a-side fixtures on the club’s 3G training pitches, ahead of watching the Premier League fixture between the Cherries and Chelsea FC.
The AFC Bournemouth representatives were all selected from the newly launched sessions at the Mudeford Wood Community Centre in Christchurch, which are supported by Aim Altitude and Curtiss-Wright. These sessions run every Monday 5-6pm and are open to both boys and girls aged 8-19 years old.
Those selected have been regular attendees of the sessions since their launch, and were rewarded for their commitment with this unique opportunity to wear the AFC Bournemouth home kit and represent the Cherries in fixtures at Vitality Stadium.
Daryl Hobson, Premier League Kicks Project Lead said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for the children of Christchurch to wear the AFC Bournemouth colours and participate in an external fixture.
“More importantly for us, to see all of the children playing with a smile on their faces and enjoying the day. We look forward to continuing engagement in club activities!’
Head of Community Steve Cuss added: “Premier League Kicks provides many opportunities for the participants who attend our weekly sessions and we were delighted to welcome the boys and girls from Mudeford, who enjoyed a memorable Match Day at the Vitality Stadium.”
