DORCHESTER Town Football Club and Kingston Maurward College (KMC) have announced a new working partnership.

The brand-new state-of-the-art 3G pitch at the Avenue Stadium will host the football element of the KMC Sport and Fitness BTEC courses, allowing students to train and play matches on a top-of-the-range surface.

KMC Principal, Luke Rake said: “The renewed partnership with the football club, with a new 3G facility just five minutes from the college, is a fantastic development for young footballers in the area.

"Students will be able to combine their Sport and Fitness BTEC courses at the college with state-of-the-art facilities at the club, leading to better progression in the game and their careers in the sport industry.

"I am really excited by the further opportunities this collaboration with our local club gives both partners."

Magpies' director, Nigel Hayes said: “We are delighted to be in a position to offer education at the stadium through a local college, all thanks to the new 3G pitch.

"This ties in with our commitment as a community-owned, not-for-profit club, to be a seven day-a-week hub for football, making sport and exercise available and enjoyable to everyone.

"Further announcements on other new initiatives such as holiday soccer schools, kids birthday parties, a six-a-side tournament and regular league and walking football will follow."