Dorchester Town Youth reached out to new fans in Uganda thanks to the efforts of Sophie Ramsbottom.

The 16-year-old spent several weeks of the summer in East Africa as part of a world challenge expedition.

Among a 17-strong party of pupils from Parkstone Grammar School, Ramsbottom completed two treks, a nine-day project, which involved constructing a new classroom, and two days in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The teenager is a keen footballer having played for Dorchester Town Youth Girls from under-10s up to under-15s before moving on to the Dorset Centre of Excellence.

Despite her age, Ramsbottom currently plays for Weymouth Ladies and the Dorset Under-18s.

Prior to her departure for Uganda, Ramsbottom was presented with a squad of black and white shirts donated by her former Magpies’ manager Lloyd Spracklen.

She said: “Although the shirts were second hand they were cleaned, bagged and handed out to the oldest boys at the village school, who are now the new football team.

“The boys were ecstatic, like they had just won the world cup, and danced around posing for endless photographs.

“A new team had to have a game so they played the girls and came out 3-2 winners. We take things for granted but these second-hand shirts gave these boys an identity, they are now a team.”