AFC Wimbledon Foundation continues to expand
There was excitement for children during the school holidays at Southfields Academy as three new AFC Wimbledon signings made a surprise visit to the venue.
Lyle Taylor, Karleigh Osborne and Tom Elliott helped launch a new venue for the AFC Wimbledon Foundation’s holiday courses by taking part in a Q & A with children from the ages of 4-14 last Thursday.
Over 30 children were present and Wimbledon’s players answered questions on a variety of subjects, including what cars they drive, the boots they wear, and their previous clubs.
Pictured in the photograph above with children at the course are left to right: Lyle Taylor, Tom Elliott, Karleigh Osborne and AFC Wimbledon Ladies player Alysha Clements.
Karleigh, who signed for the Dons recently on loan from Bristol City, said: “It has been good fun and I don’t mind the kids asking me questions! It has been good to watch the kids playing football and it is clear how hard the staff have worked to put this event on. I think it reminds people of how big a club Wimbledon is.”
The AFC Wimbledon Foundation has run summer holiday courses at Wimbledon Park for many years and it has become hugely popular with 55 children a day attending.
Club staff hope the new venue at Southfields Academy will be even more successful with excellent facilities available, including 3G pitches and an indoor playing facility.
Joe Roberts, who is Sport Development Manager at the Foundation, said: “Although this venue is quite close to Wimbledon Park, it potentially allows us to tap into other areas including Wandsworth. It is a sign of how we as a club are growing into the community and providing more opportunities for children of all ages to play football.”
AFC Wimbledon Foundation’s Executive Director Kay Skelton also confirmed that extra plans are in place for additional courses in September as the club expands its community projects.
Female only football courses will be launched on Saturday, 17 September, from 9.30-11.30 am, and a disability session will be staged in the week commencing 7 September.
For more information about any of the courses mentioned above, contact 020 8974 5712 or e-mail Lewis.Westlake@afcwimbledonfoundation.org.uk .