DORCHESTER Town’s Jason Brookes is renowned for his hard work on the field, but it’s off the field where he is really making an impact.

Brookes has taken on a full-time role with the club with the intention of bringing the club closer to the community which he loves so dearly.

He explained: “Last season, I became a community officer at the club. So I do work in some of the local schools, running sessions and soccer schools.

“We run teams and run league fixtures and stuff like that for people to get involved with. It’s a lot of fun.

“We work with people of all ages. On a Monday we have an under-16s and an adult team. We get good numbers and do an over-50s walking football as well which can get 25-30 people coming to a session.”

It was board member and former co-chairman Shaun Hearn who started the initiative and recruited Brookes to lead the initiative with one aim in mind.

He said: “When I first joined the club I did a lot of coaching and Shaun was trying to start the initiative and asked me if I wanted to get involved with the work in schools.

“I thought it was a great idea for something which I can do alongside playing football.

“It’s great to show just how big a club Dorchester Town is. It’s a sleeping giant and we want the people of Dorchester to know it’s their club and that they can have their children come to play football, and can come and watch the games.

“We have some kids from the area come in and work as ball boys and girls at the games so it’s great to build a good relationship with the people in the community and raise the profile of the club.”

Although the scheme is in its infancy, Brookes is keen to open the opportunity up to as many people in the community as possible.

He said: “We’re looking to expand it because we ran a soccer school course during half term earlier this season and it was really successful so we’ll look to do another one in the summer.

“I’d encourage anybody who wants to come down, we do a session 6pm-8pm at Thomas Hardye in Dorchester and to look out for when we’re running soccer schools in the area.

“We just want young people to come and get involved and we’re always on the lookout for more people who want to play football.”

Anybody who would like more information on any upcoming events are encouraged to contact Dorchester Town Football Club on 01305 262451.

CONTACT ME

t: 01305 830954

e: philip.spencer

@dorsetecho.co.uk

twitter: @echosportphil