Community Sports Trust enjoy dedicated matchday

As a result, there was plenty of action and activities going on around the ground, featuring a number of participants and staff from the trust’s sessions.

The Community Sports Trust is the charitable arm of AFC Bournemouth, actively working in the local community across Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset. 

In an average week the trust works with 4,000 people, from children as young as young as one-year-old to the people over-50. In total, it delivers over 100 sessions per week.

On Saturday, the club’s flagbearers, who formed a guard of honour as the players walked out, included members from the walking football programme, Care South, Minikickers sessions and the disability groups.

Additionally, Yasmin Wall from the under-14 girls was chosen as the fans’ champion, bringing the match ball onto the pitch after her commitment and voluntary work with the trust’s younger age groups.

The players and management staff also showed their support of the trust, with the former warming up in branded t-shirts and Eddie Howe wearing a pin badge throughout the game.

Finally, head of community Steve Cuss addressed the crowd ahead of kick-off, explaining the key function and role of the Community Sports Trust across Dorset, while also leading a penalty shootout at half time featuring more participants from the trust’s various programmes. 

Following the day, Cuss spoke with afcb.co.uk. 

“The Community match Day is a great way to showcase our activities and we were delighted to involve so many of our participants in the day.”