A GROUP of ambitious young people spent time with AFC Bournemouth in preparation for a career in football.

Six Dorset-based teens spent four days at the Seward Stadium learning from industry experts as part of the What’s Your Goal? scheme, run by Football League sponsor npower.

Each of the 72 clubs across the three divisions took part, offering driven young people a glimpse behind the scenes of their local football club.

Molly Thompson, a Cherries supporter and aspiring football coach, who is currently studying for her GCSEs at Glenmoor School, was one of six chosen to take part.

She said: “One of the coaches from the Community Sports Trust came to my school and gave a presentation about What’s Your Goal?, and I thought it would be a good chance for me to learn about what I wanted to do as a career.

“I was able to coach during the soccer schools over half term and work in the club store too, so I got to see two sides to the club and how it all works together.

“The coaching gave me the chance to work with children of different ages and abilities, and was a really valuable experience.

“In the shop I was helping to sell tickets for match days, season tickets and printing the names and numbers on shirts, things that I didn’t think I would get the chance to do.”

Steve Cuss, head of the Community Sports Trust, said: “We do a lot of work and coaching in local schools and reach over 2,000 children a week, but this scheme shows the other side of our work.”

For more information on the Community Trust schemes, contact Steve Cuss, on: 01202 726342.