Trust develops the Community
On Boxing Day AFC Bournemouth brought the community together to celebrate the launch of AFC Bournemouth's Community Sports Trust. The club's most cherished asset, Football in the Community has expanded to become AFC Bournemouth Community Sports Trust.
The day's activities included fun games before the match and a coaching session with Sturminster Marshall YFC at half time pictured with directors, staff and partners above.
Many supporters of the scheme from organisations such as the Princes Trust, YMCA and Streetscene were present. Other organisations included the Community sponsor Ryvita, JP Morgan and Bournemouth Borough Council. A number of schools and Youth football clubs were also invited; namely Bournemouth Electric, Waterloo and Parkstone Heights.
The current scheme delivers 15 sport development programmes including School coaching, Ability Counts, Soccer Schools in the holidays and outreach programmes to socially vulnerable groups such as young offenders.
AFC Bournemouth's Football in the Community was formed through the Professional Football Association (PFA) in 2002 and delivered coaching sessions to just 2 schools and run an Ability Counts programme. The successful programme has grown rapidly to provide sporting opportunities for 1700 young people a week whilst visiting 48 schools between Weymouth and Ringwood.
In becoming its own entity The Community Sports Trust has been granted charitable status which will open the door to wider funding streams. The sports trust receives backing from the Football League, however in order to progress additional funding from sponsorship and grants will play an important role in delivering multi-sports and enabling the sports trust to invest in equipment and on site facilities.
Head of Community Sports Trust Steve Cuss said, "We will be working closer with existing groups and forging new partnership while the activities we do continue to broaden. Steve added: Our aim is to provide a greater contribution to the local community In the future the Sports Trust has the aim of delivering multi-sports to over 60 schools and 2000 children a week by 2009. The Sports Trust aims to be the No1 sports development provider across Dorset and Hampshire"
Community Sports Trust Gains Charitable Status
As of Friday 8th February 2008 AFC Bournemouth Community Sports Trust is officially a registered charity.
Following the recent transition from Football in the Community to the Community Sports Trust there have been many changes taking place at the community department of AFC Bournemouth. Now able to offer a far wider range of activities for children and young people in the local area the Trust will continue to expand and develop and this news is yet another step in the right direction.
Head of Community Sports Trust, Steve Cuss said "I am delighted with this news. As a registered charity we now have the opportunity to access greater funding through both grant applications as well as donations". The first of these donations will come from Dorset Business having named the Community Sports Trust as their nominated Charity for the proceeds of the Dorset Business 5-a-side coming up in May.
The Trust remains a self funding, non profit making organisation so all donations and funding will be committed to the continuing growth and development of the Trust. The Trust runs a number of initiatives across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole including a variety of school coaching programmes, school holiday activities, ability counts (working with children and young adults with disabilities), match day activities and birthday parties. These initiatives are designed to promote healthy living, allowing children to be active in a safe and structured environment where they can learn both physical and social skills. Gaining charitable status, along with the current sponsorship from Ryvita, will allow the Trust to grow more rapidly, reaching more areas of the community and working with more children.
If you would like to know more and get involved then please contact Steve Cuss on: steve.cuss@afcb.co.uk or 01202 726342 or 07973 893594