DORCHESTER Town Youth are looking to get more girls from the town and surrounding areas involved in football.

New players of all abilities are being sought for the club’s five girls’ teams and an FA scheme.

The FA Mash Up Centre is a girls’ only initiative for those aged 14-17 that can’t commit to regular training and matches, or who have teams but want to play socially with friends too.

As of next season, Dorchester Town Youth will have girls’ teams covering two-year age groups at under-8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 levels, the first three of which are coached by members of Dorchester Town Ladies.

The under-8s are the club’s newest team and, along with the 12s, are set to be entered into league football for the first time.

Girls’ section secretary Tony O’Connell outlined the opportunities available to female footballers.

“We are looking for girls of all abilities to come along and join our teams for next season,” he said. We’re looking to recruit players for all our teams because we’re fairly low on numbers.

“For those aged 14-17 and who just want to enjoy training we are putting on an FA Mash Up Centre, which is a less formally structured environment.

“It’s for girls who want to play but can’t commit to organised matches on weekends.”

He went on to add: “We want to let people know there is football available for girls because there’s not enough out there at the moment.

“We want girls socialising and enjoying themselves while doing something healthy.”

Training for Dorchester Town Youth’s girls’ teams takes place at Thomas Hardye School on Tuesdays from 6.30pm-7.30pm, while league matches are played on Saturday mornings.

The Avenue Stadium is also going to host a Fun Day for the girls’ section from 11am-1pm on July 26.

Meanwhile, the FA Skills Centre in Dorchester has moved away from the town but in its place now is the Dorchester Town FC Community Outreach Programme, offering football to girls and boys during term time.

Sessions are held on Wednesdays at Dorchester Leisure Centre, from 6-7pm for pupils in reception to Year Four and from 7-8pm for pupils in Years Five to Eight.