The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 November 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the trust's [governing document], the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019).
The Trust's objective is the promotion of community participation in healthy recreation, in particular by the provision of facilities for the playing of football. The aim is to help young people, especially but not exclusively through leisure time activities, so as to develop their capabilities that they may grow to full maturity as individuals and members of society. Also, to provide or assist in the provision of sporting and recreational facilities for the public of Bournemouth and surrounding areas without reference to race, religion and belief, sex, disability, nationality, ethnic or national origin or social background, with the object of improving their conditions of life.
The Community Sports Trust is the charitable arm of AFC Bournemouth, working actively in the local community across Bournemouth, Poole and surrounding areas within four main strands of work:
Participation – Education – Health – Social Inclusion
The team of 50 staff deliver over 150 coaching and teaching sessions and engage with 4,500 people, from ages 1 to 101 a week working in partnership with schools, organisations and businesses. The Trust's vision is to provide opportunities for all, through project delivery, meeting the needs of the local community and delivering a mixture of active sessions along with education and support groups. A key aim is to help individuals reach their potential with pathways in place from recreational activities through to teams and there are currently 28 registered teams across the community from the Girls and Women’s programmes, Disability, College and Walking football.
The AFC Bournemouth Community Sports Trust was formed in 2001 from the Football in the Community programme and has continued its charitable working partnership with AFC Bournemouth. In 2008 it gained charitable status and continues to be a self-funding, non-profit organisation which has a huge impact upon the local community through increasing involvement in sport. The Trust is supported and many of its projects are funded by the Premier League Foundation.
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
The following sections covering the achievements, performance and financial review form the strategic report of the charity;
Sports Participation
The Trust aims to create an environment suitable for all individuals and encourage them to get involved and to participate.
Mini Cherries
Mini Cherries weekly football sessions are for 1 to 4-year-olds and are held at three venues, now including the Ringwood 3G facility. Sessions include fun games and activities, encouraging the young people to engage in sporting activities, learn to share and enjoy being active and last for 45 minutes each.
Minikickers
Minikickers weekly sessions are for 4 to 11-year-olds and reach over 100 children a week. The sessions which last an hour invite children to join in and learn new skills through dribbling games, shooting drills and small-sided matches.
Girls Football
Girls football development includes Wildcats for 5 to 11-year-olds and ETC (Emerging Talent Centre) sessions. The purpose of the Girls’ Emerging Talent Centre is to identify and nurture talented players by providing accessible training opportunities that focus on individual development. It offers players increased playing and training time with qualified coaches, varied games formats such as futsal and 3v3 and the players are able to enjoy being at the ETC alongside their club.
There are weekly training sessions on a Friday evening which from September are held at the Ringwood Hub for Under 10, Under 12 and Under 14 age groups, together with additional training opportunities alongside grassroots commitments and a games programme during school holidays for those involved.
During the February half-term, girls football talent ID events were held for Under 10s, 12s and 14s and over 40 players from the ETC were involved in fixtures against Dorset ETC.
In March, Women’s players Abby Jones and Phoebe Williams, along with Head of Community Steve Cuss took part in the FA campaign BiggestEverFootballSession. The trio visited Poulner Junior School for a morning of football activities with their female students.
Kicking things off with an assembly, the players answered the young people’s questions and shared their footballing experiences before heading outside for football sessions.
After a morning in Ringwood, female students from Stourfield Infants School headed to Vitality Stadium for their own BiggestEverFootballSession. The students took part in a tour of the stadium and were given the opportunity to ask questions, before getting outside on the 3G pitch for some coaching activities.
During the busy October half term, a number of activities took place in addition to the usual training including the U10s and U12s taking part in an England Futsal Festival at Paignton, Devon.
The festival enabled the girls to experience Futsal, many for the first time; against many other ETC players from across the South and South West including: Somerset FA, Cornwall FA, Devon FA, Exeter City and Bristol City.
Soccer Camps
The Trust continued to deliver its programme of holiday camps and in addition is delighted to run Active Holiday Camps in line with the Holiday Activity and Food Programme (HAF), and working in partnership with local councils. This Department of Education funded holiday activities and food programme provides free holiday activity places for children whose family are in receipt of free school meals.
All Soccer Camps are run and delivered by qualified and experienced football coaches who have all completed up to date safeguarding and emergency aid qualifications. All staff are also DBS checked.
Available during the Easter, Summer and Christmas holidays, the Trust offers camps for children aged 8-16 years old. Throughout 2025, the HAF programme was based at The Bourne Academy School, offering places to up to 50 young people a day, across nine weeks of the school holidays, providing over 2000 meals. Each day of the programme, the young people took part in football activities and other multi-sports games. Workshops on topics such as Healthy Eating, Internet Safety and Money Management are also occasionally included. Each attendee also received a hot meal for lunch.
During the Easter holidays, the holidays camps at The Bourne Academy were delivered in partnership with BCP Council and Think Research and new for these holidays the Trust worked in partnership with Hampshire County Council to offer a provision at the Ringwood Community Hub.
The Trust enjoyed a very busy summer holiday period engaging with the local community, promoting participation, health and fun. Five Soccer Camp venues across the area hosted over 2,500 children, with the all day delivery of fun football sessions, with a mix of different practices, challenges and games.
Holiday Activity Fund (HAF) provided multi sports days across two venues, which included a hot lunch time meal for all participants as they enjoyed taking part in different sports including football, rounders, dodgeball, cricket and fun games. Further Holiday Activity Fund sessions have been secured with the government announcing that over £600 million has been confirmed for the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme for the next three financial years from 2026/27.
Other summer activities included weekly sessions at Bowlease Holiday Camp in Weymouth to work with children visiting the area and the delivery of the ‘Cherries Together’ project to Pimperne YFC. The Trust also attended PL Kicks and Disability Festivals, welcomed teams from Akinji Soccer, Derby County, Swindon Town and Arsenal together with hosting a 2 week tour for partners Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club.
Adults were also involved with visits to Care South residential homes, weekly walking football sessions, along with fitness sessions and 5-a-side football. Head of community Steve Cuss said “we are pleased to have delivered and engaged with many participants across the summer through a variety of different projects. These projects allowed for social interaction, participation health, fitness and fun and we are pleased to be able to offer this to our local community.”
Extra-Curricular Coaching and After School Clubs
The Trust has a successful long-standing partnership with many schools in the local area delivering extra-curricular sessions for both boys and girls, and hosts three main clubs: Breakfast Club, which runs an hour before school, Lunchtime Club that runs during school lunchtimes, and the very popular After School Club. Typically, the clubs run once a week for the entire term, and include coaching sessions on passing, control, dribbling and shooting, combined with fun games, small competitions and small sided matches.
Bournemouth University
Bournemouth University continues to support the Trust, maintaining long established links which began while the football club competed in League 1. In particular it supports the development of girls' football in Dorset as the main partner of the under-10, under-12, under-14 and under-16 AFC Bournemouth girls' teams. It also remains a Junior Cherries partner and members of this popular club for younger fans are invited to attend special events at the university with an educational aspect. The University's men's and women's teams continue to benefit from professional coaching from the Trust.
Birthday Parties
The Trust offers birthday parties at the Ringwood hub which include 90 minutes of football on the 3G pitch followed by a hot meal.
Education
Premier League Primary Stars
Premier League Primary Stars uses the power of professional football and sport to inspire children to learn, be active and develop important life skills.
The programme provides all primary schools with the opportunity to be involved in a variety of sessions and events, with the aim of creating a positive and long-lasting sporting, education and health impact, for the local community.
It involves PE delivery and CPD events for teachers and school staff. These sessions see coaches visiting local schools delivering sporting activities, which provide teachers and HLTA’s with additional provision to enhance their own learning, as well as aiming to improve in skills, confidence and knowledge for delivering PE and school sport.
The programme not only provides schools with football themed PE delivery, it also provides teachers and parents with downloadable resources across a range of curriculum subjects at Key Stage 1 (age 5-7) and Key Stage 2 (age 7-11), developed by teachers for teachers, and in collaboration with experts such as the National Literacy Trust and the PSHE Association.
This includes:
PSHE workshops (Individual lessons).
PSHE Targeted Interventions (working with specific groups, for six consecutive lessons).
Targeted Active Numeracy Programme (working with under achieving students, for six consecutive sessions).
Targeted Reading Programme (working with under achieving students, for six consecutive sessions).
Social Action projects- focusing on making an impact in the specific school or in the local community.
Teacher Continued Professional Development Opportunities
Inter school festivals (KS2 age groups)
U11 Primary Schools Tournament
During the year 54 teachers were supported with PE lessons, and13 Maths, 9 English interventions and 4 Social Action sessions were delivered. A total of 9 competitions and festivals were held, including 4 specifically for young people with SEND needs. The Trust also delivered 1000 books to ten local primary schools in and around the Bournemouth area.
In January the Trust hosted the annual Premier League Primary Stars Tournaments to determine the season’s club representatives for the National Final. The Premier League Primary Stars Tournaments are national events which take place every season. Each Premier League club hosts a local round to determine the schools who will represent them at the final on a Premier League pitch in May. The competition has two tournaments: Under 11 Girls and Under 11 Mixed. Over 250 primary school children represented 19 local primary schools in this season’s competitions.
Schools Projects
The Trust offers a range of different school project lessons, delivered to local schools across the Dorset and Hampshire regions. The workshops look at important themes throughout every-day life, Healthy Lifestyles, Respect and Citizenship, Safer Kids Online, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Road Soccer Safety. Each lesson is free of charge and can be tailored for different age ranges in Primary and Secondary Schools. In each lesson, there are PowerPoint presentations, group discussions and/ or individual/ small group tasks, as well as activity sheets and tasks to complete at various points during the lessons.
During October, AFC Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams visited St Mark’s Primary School in Bournemouth, where he joined 60 Year 5 pupils for a Respect and Citizenship workshop delivered in partnership with Goadsby. The session, part of the club’s ongoing schools programme, uses children’s passion for football and AFC Bournemouth to explore how sport can help encourage positive and respectful behaviour both on and off the pitch. Throughout the lesson, pupils discussed examples of respectful and disrespectful behaviours in everyday life before taking a closer look at how respect plays a vital role within football. Presentations and videos helped bring these lessons to life, showing how players, coaches and fans can all demonstrate respect in different ways.
To support the session, Goadsby have created bespoke workshop booklets, filled with activities and games to help pupils learn about respect through fun, football-themed exercises. Tyler joined in with the pupils as they completed their booklets, took part in a Q&A session, and helped hand out prizes to some of the standout participants. The workshop concluded with each child creating a poster to show why respectful behaviour is as important as ever.
The lesson encouraged pupils to share ideas, work collaboratively in groups, and reflect on how they can continue to demonstrate positive and respectful behaviour in the classroom and beyond. This inspiring session forms part of AFC Bournemouth’s wider commitment to supporting education and community engagement across the local area - showing once again how football can be a powerful force for good. The Healthy Lifestyle workshop focuses on educating young people on the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, through diet and exercise, as well as looking at hydration levels and the importance of sleep. The lesson starts by looking at the Eatwell plate and then moves on to the breakdown of the main food groups including nutrients, minerals and vitamins and their importance.
The importance of taking part in regular exercise to keep healthy, and why it is important to keep hydrated whilst exercising is then covered. Throughout the lesson, the participants complete different tasks and activities, such as creating healthy meals for AFC Bournemouth players, specifically linking to the different times of a match day.
The Safer Kids Online programme is a popular workshop delivered to local schools. The lesson, supported by ESET UK, educates young people on how to remain safe whilst using the internet. The classroom-based lesson addresses the children’s most common uses of the internet and develops on the safety features and age ranges for each of these different applications and websites.
This lesson touches on keeping profiles secure, as well as what content should be kept private and not shared with others online. Towards the end of the lesson, the children look at different scenarios which they may face online and how they would deal with each individual situation. Finally, they complete worksheets with some top tips on privacy settings and a Helping Hand task, which focuses on who they can speak to when they are worried online.
During the year, 690 children took part in workshops as part of Safer Internet Day 2025 and parents were also invited to attend other workshops delivered to local schools.
Money Management is a programme that is designed to support pupils in secondary schools across Dorset. The workshops, supported by Strategic Solutions, highlight the importance of promoting sensible finance and enhancing the knowledge and financial well-being of students and their futures. The programme will bring the schools maths curriculum to life by giving an introduction to financial literacy, educating pupils on tax, bank accounts, budgeting and understanding credit. The workshops also provide students with information on how to access additional support on financial areas and products outside the sessions.
Mental health and well-being
The Trust provides support to both primary and secondary schools across Dorset to help educational leaders raise awareness of a subject that has never been so high on the public agenda. The programme is designed to encourage the younger generation to talk openly about mental health and to be able to understand the struggles that are associated with mental health. It helps pupils explore emotions, how to recognise change in behaviour and how to keep a positive mindset whilst setting goals for the future. The programme combines theory, participation and physical activity.
A total of 13 schools were visited during the year with the Trust delivering 160 project lessons to over 4,000 children.
Premier League Inspires
Premier League Inspires is a Secondary School education programme that uses the reach and appeal of the Premier League and AFC Bournemouth to support those aged between 11-25 in educational settings who are at risk of not reaching their potential. The programme helps to prepare young people for further education and employment through a series of face-to-face mentoring sessions, workshops and social-action projects.
The Trust began its Premier League Inspires delivery in the 2020/21 season and since then has supported nearly 1000 young people through more than 1000 sessions.
In December students from Glenmoor and Winton Academy’s Diversity Club visited Vitality Stadium for this year’s Premier League Inspires Trailblazers event, to celebrate black history month and the Premier League, No Room for Racism campaign. The event involved a tour of the stadium, including the changing rooms, tunnel and pitch side, as well as other exclusive experiences, allowing students to learn about AFC Bournemouth. The group also participated in a quiz on famous historical trailblazers, as well hearing about AFC Bournemouth Trailblazers. A question-and-answer session was organized to follow, with current AFC Bournemouth players from the U21s squad answering questions about their careers and overcoming challenges.
The event drew to a close with the opportunity for students to gain useful information through a practical activity. The group were split into teams and asked to solve a timeline of historical events and football facts relating to black history starting from the 1800’s leading through to the present day.
During April, Premier League Inspires participants from Avon Valley Academy took part in Football’s Great Save Campaign. Students in years 8,9 and 10 learnt the benefits of upcycling unwanted football kit, donated by the Trust. Throughout the challenge day, they were set a fictious task of designing a new kit in collaboration with a celebrity of their choice, taking inspiration from past and present playing and training kits.
Alongside their activities, the young people also took part in a coaching session and played matches, making use of the donated kit by AFC Bournemouth. To end the day, the participants and Academy were gifted a range of kit including hoodies, T-shirts, playing kit and footwear to take back to their school and reuse as required as well as receiving a T-shirt each for their efforts throughout the day.
In May, youngsters from the Trust’s Inspires programme joined hundreds across England and Wales in this year’s Premier League Inspires Challenge, a nationwide initiative supported by the Premier League and the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA). This year, they were tasked with tackling gender inequality in their communities, coming together to share their project ideas on campaigning for change, organizing fundraising events and encouraging their peers for support. The winning team developed a project to ‘Celebrate Females in Football’ to raise awareness and take practical action around gender equality.
They presented to male students at their school and invited male students to train with the Trust’s Women’s Walking Football squad, demonstrating that ‘these girls are as good as you’, as well as challenging male stereotypes around female participation in football.
The Challenge team also explored the positive work AFC Bournemouth is already doing to tackle gender inequality, including meeting Women’s Team players. Having received the highest number of votes in their heat, they joined hundreds of young people at the Premier League Inspires Challenge celebration event at Wembley. There, they presented their project alongside more than 40 other clubs from across the Premier League and English Football League.
Football Education Programme - College Offer
The Trust, in partnership with Grange and Wyvern Schools and with effect from September 2025 Avonbourne Academy, is proud to be offering an alternative education pathway for 16 - 19-year-olds. The post-16 education course provides a full-time education and training programme to sports enthusiasts, whilst providing the chance to combine academic studies with football development.
Through the academic course, students can study an NCFE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Physical Activity, gaining the equivalent to three A Levels on completion. The NCFE programme also provides introductory skills to start a career in sport, with students having the opportunity to resist GCSE English and Maths if required. Alongside the education programme, students will receive daily training sessions, as well as an organised games programme against other professional clubs and football academies on a Wednesday.
Brokenhurst College
The Trust also offers exciting opportunities for young, talented, female football enthusiasts to combine academic studies with a comprehensive Football Development Programme based at Brockenhurst College. The academic curriculum can be tailored to match educational potential with a range of A Levels and a BTEC National Diploma in Sport on offer. If required students can also complete their Maths and English GCSEs.
The Female Elite Player programme provides access to high quality coaching and football education with a range of sessions available each day including team sessions, 1 to 1's and recovery/gym-based sessions. Extra support is provided through massage and strength and conditioning support. Students on the programme compete in a fixtures schedule on Wednesdays as part of the National College League against other professional clubs and friendly matches throughout the season.
In April, the students from the Trust were crowned Association of Colleges champions. The two-day final took place at the University of Nottingham, and saw the Brockenhurst College team play nine other colleges from around the country, including Sundland College and South Gloucestershire and Stroud College. Eleven players from the FFEP programme, including three who play for AFC Bournemouth Women’s Development Squad represented AFC Bournemouth and Brockenhurst College throughout the competition, which had included a regional qualifier event earlier in the year. Across the nine games played during the finals weekend, the team kept 8 clean sheets and scored an impressive 19 goals, remaining unbeaten throughout.
In November, the FFEP team travelled to Brighton University Sports Campus for the Association of Colleges (AOC) regional 7-a-side tournament. The FFEP team were one of 15 college teams participating in the South-East competition, grouped with Peter Symonds College, East Sussex College, Queen Mary’s College and Chichester College for the early stages of the competition. The team together with the Brighton, Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College were the top two teams on the day, but a hard fought final saw Brighton emerge the overall winners, scoring two good goals in the final, to progress to the National Championships.
From the 2024/25 academic year’s cohort, 20 students were accepted onto a university course with one student winning a scholarship to America.
Apprenticeships
The Trust offers a unique opportunity for 16-18-year-olds to gain coaching experience and participate in an 'Activity Leadership Apprenticeship'. During the year- long apprenticeship, as well as working in the local community alongside the Trust’s coaches, apprentices are required to complete assignments, working towards a City & Guilds/NVQ in Active Leadership. A successful first year on the scheme provides the opportunity to progress onto a second year, then future jobs with the Community Sports Trust.
Next Gen.
The Next Gen project works with local grassroots coaches and volunteers on community programmes. The project helps to up-skill these coaches and volunteers, whilst also offering opportunities to local grassroots teams. During the year over 200 coaches attended CPD workshops.
Health and Well-being
Care South
The partnership between Care South and the Trust is now in its eleventh year. The partnership encompasses two main activities: The Extra Time project and Chair Football. The Extra Time project involves Trust coaches visiting all the Care South care homes across Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and other Dorset locations. As part of the interaction with the residents the coaches take part in various activities; including sharing AFC Bournemouth memories through photos and various other items of memorabilia. The other important aspect of the Trust's visit Chair Football. The coaches leading the sessions encourage the participants to pass the ball around the room, whilst remaining seated. To build on the session, obstacles and goals are added.
In December, more than 100 residents from Care South’s homes, care-at-home clients, and staff gathered at AFC Bournemouth's Vitality Stadium for a memorable festive coffee morning filled with music, dancing and Christmas cheer. The annual Care South AFC Bournemouth Christmas Coffee Morning is a highlight for residents at the 11 care homes across Dorset, and clients supported by their Care at Home team.
Hosted by the Trust, the event was also graced by former Cherries players, who chatted with the residents over hot drinks and festive treats, including mince pies. Residents from Care South’s homes in Bournemouth, Poole, Ferndown, Gillingham, Ringwood and Weymouth came together for the special event.
Walking Football
The Trust runs weekly Walking Football coaching sessions in partnership with Care South. Walking Football is a version of the popular sport, with a few small rule changes. One of the most important changes being that it must be played at a walking pace. These sessions are offered to both men and women aged 50+ and encourage them to keep fit and healthy without playing an especially competitive or demanding sport.
There are now teams in three age groups taking part in fixtures, both locally and across the country. In addition to the recreational options, the teams train weekly, which provide further opportunity to improve people’s physical and mental wellbeing. Since September 2024 over 200 sessions have been delivered with over 140 individuals taking part. Eight teams took part in the Care South Walking Football Tournament.
Senior Cherries
This group meet monthly for social sessions, including walks and coffee mornings.
Sport and Social
Sport and Social sessions are delivered twice weekly in partnership with Dorset Mental Health Forum, on the 3G pitches at Vitality Stadium. The sessions are designed for those aged 16 and over who have experienced any form of mental health difficulty and offer an hour-long football event, to help those taking part to socialise and reintegrate back into organised activities.
Dorset Mind
Weekly sessions are also available for men affected by mental health issues in partnership with Dorset Mind
MENtalk
MENTalk is a cancer support group held in partnership with Wessex Cancer Trust.
The Trust offers online support sessions twice a week and a once a month in-person meeting for men who have been affected by cancer to come together and talk and share their experiences.
Social Inclusion
Disability Football
The Trust is committed to ensuring that everybody has the opportunity to play football and attend a session designed to meet their needs. Thanks to the Premier League, a disability programme has been developed which offers a range of competitive and recreational sport opportunities as well as ensuring that every programme run by the Trust is accessible and inclusive for all.
Ability Counts
These are weekly football sessions for any player over the age of five with any form of physical, learning or behavioural difficulty. The sessions provide an opportunity for players to train and play competitive football or follow a recreational pathway.
There are under-12 and under-16 teams that compete locally, sometimes even travelling further afield for tournaments. There are also two senior teams representing AFC Bournemouth who play fixtures in the official club kit.
In December the Trust was delighted to welcome a selection of the Under 12 players to Vitality Stadium for their final training session of 2024. The 15 players were treated to an exclusive behind the scenes tour of the home of AFC Bournemouth, taking in the home and away dressing rooms, tunnel area, media facilities before taking part in a training session on the 3G pitches. The group were into training session, taking part in warm-up and dribbling activities when they were visited by special guests Owen Bevan and Alex Scott. The players visited the Ability Counts team as an early Christmas surprise. Whilst at the sessions, the players answered questions and shared advice before helping out for the coaching activities and matches. To end the session, Bevan and Scott signed autographs and handed out selection boxes to each of the children.
In July, the Trust hosted a SEND Festival at the Ringwood Community Hub. Pupils from local schools joined together for a morning of fun, skill development and games. The coaching sessions covered passing, dribbling and shooting, challenging the individual as well as developing teamwork. The games followed which were fun and competitive. Women’s team goalkeeper Katie Scadding was in attendance supporting the pupils alongside her role as inclusion lead with the Trust.
The pupils really enjoyed the day with comments “Can we do this every week”
At the beginning of August, the Trust announced it would be running the FA Para Football – Talent Hub.
The pathway is a route for players with specific impairments, starting with England Talent Days, working through Talent Hubs and different National Talent Programmes, with the end goal being the England Development Squads.
The FA Para Football – Talent Hub will be specifically for players aged 7-16 years old who have Cerebral Palsy, or are Deaf, Blind or partially sighted. Speaking to afcb.co.uk, Head of Community Steve Cuss said, “We are delighted to be awarded the FA Para Football – Talent Hub. We work weekly with a number of players, of all ages, with different impairments and disabilities, and it is great to be able to offer them the opportunity to progress further through the football pathway”.
An England Talent ID Day was held on 30th August at the Ringwood Community Hub to launch the programme with successful players being invited to take part in a monthly coaching session, from September 2025 through to July 2026. During August the Trust’s Disability teams came together to celebrate their 2024/25 season with a presentation evening at the Ringwood Community Hub. The evening consisted of a training session on the 3g pitch, a thank you to all from Head of Community Steve Cuss and player awards and medals for all from disability project lead and AFC Bournemouth goalkeeper Katie Scadding.
The presentation celebrated the success of the Ability Counts under 12’s, under 16’s and adults teams, along with the Down Syndrome team who all enjoyed the evening and celebration. October 9th 2025 was World Sight Day. The Trust would like to take this opportunity to tell the story of one of the players, Hayden.
Hayden was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa at four years old. His condition is a degenerative one, meaning his sight will continue to worsen over time. Hayden is registered sight impaired, he has night blindness, trouble adjusting to light changes or dim lighting, along with difficulty seeing in bad weather, and problems seeing specific colours.
At five years old, Hayden started playing in mainstream football, however this was short lived. Throughout primary school, he played on and off with friends, and tried to play in the school team during secondary school however stopped, following unkind comments from his team-mates. Three years ago, Hayden was introduced to the AFC Bournemouth Ability Counts sessions. Hayden’s Mother Carlie told afcb.co.uk, “Hayden loved it from the first session.” “It was so inclusive. He has never been made to feel bad about making mistakes on the pitch, and has only ever been encouraged by the coaches and is teammates.”
After months of being involved with the Ability Counts sessions, Hayden was invited to attend the FA Para Talent Hub sessions. He has also attended Talent Days at St Georges Park, where was invited to join the Regional Emerging Talent Programme. Carlie added, “Hayden is pleased to be attending the Talent Hub sessions with AFC Bournemouth as well as attending his weekly Ability Counts training sessions.”
“He has made a great group of friends, that he loves seeing every week and playing matches with every month.”
Hayden has a had many opportunities through his involvement with AFC Bournemouth, including attending Premier League games, playing on the pitch at Vitality Stadium and was involved in the Give Vision VR Headset trial at a game – this provided him with the opportunity to see a football game without being told what was happening for the first time.
Work in schools
The community coaches are often present in schools, both mainstream and those that specialise in educational needs and disabilities. They help run PE lessons and ensure education is always fun, teaching the children to enjoy exercise in a safe environment. Some of the young individuals with learning difficulties start to volunteer with the Trust as they get older.
Powerchair
The club launched its first Powerchair football team ahead of the 2018/19 season and during this year has competed in the National League Championship and South East League.
Premier League Kicks
The Premier League Kicks programmes continue to expand and now offer free football sessions in Bournemouth, Poole and Verwood. This popular project offers free football and additional opportunities to over 1100 local young people a year. The project encourages young people to get involved in playing sports in the evenings and at weekends, which sees them benefit from a healthier lifestyle, improved well-being and most importantly offers them a safe environment to enjoy themselves and have fun with friends. The project offers sessions to mixed groups, as well as a girls only evening session. Sessions for children aged 8-13 years old are coached sessions, whereas sessions for those aged 14+ are tournament style sessions.
During the Easter holidays, 24 girls aged 12-16 years old from the Kicks sessions were invited to participate in the Premier League Changemakers programme. Taking place at Vitality Stadium, the group of girls participated in indoor theory sessions, coupled with practical activities on the Stadium 3G pitches. Workshop activities looked at topics including Emotions and Feelings, Leadership and Life Skills. With the practical sessions on the 3G pitches linking to this, the girls demonstrated their leadership skills through delivering their own football activities. To complete their evening, the girls were also shown around the Premier League facilities at Vitality Stadium, taking a look inside the changing rooms, and heading out pitch side.
From their participation in the PL Changemakers programme, the girls will now look to gain further leadership experience, along with taking part in volunteering sessions.
In April, youngsters from the Kicks programme represented AFC Bournemouth in the Under-16 mixed/Under-16 girls’ Premier League Kicks Cup regional qualifier. Nine regional tournaments were being staged at community facilities across the country, with hundreds of young people representing Premier League, EFL and National League clubs, hoping to win the opportunity to represent their club in the Premier League Kicks Cup 2025 finals at St George’s Park in July. The Premier League Kicks Cup tournament is one of the competition elements of Premier League Kicks programme which uses the power of football and sport to inspire young people to reach their potential, in some of the most high-need areas of England and Wales.
In addition to providing young people with access to free football and sports activities, professional football club community organisations (CCOs) also provide additional year-round support through Kicks which includes mentoring, life-skills advice and access to opportunities such as volunteering and social action to help aid personal development. In September, a squad of Under 16 players from weekly Kicks sessions attended the Premier League Kicks National Finals at St Georges Park in July. The team, who picked up the Respect Award, in the regional round finished 9th out of 24 in the National Finals. The trip which included an over-night stay for the group, encouraged the young people to get to know each other away from their weekly turn up and play sessions.
International Projects
In March the Trust welcomed long-standing Guernsey partners Northerners AC to Bournemouth. Their Under 16 team made a footballing visit to the South Coast, for an action-packed weekend. Kicking things off with a training session, the players visited the Trust’s Ringwood Community Hub to settle into their surroundings and make their preparations for their own match day. The team featured in a friendly game on the Saturday, hosted by a collection of players Kicks programme. The action-packed fixture saw a competitive game, and some fantastic football played. Following their game, the Northerners side visited Vitality Stadium for the Premier League match against Brentford, before returning to the Stadium the following day for a Stadium Tour.
In April, the Trust welcomed three age groups from the Hamilton Academical Academy to Bournemouth, for their mid-season tour. The Under 13, 15 and 17 teams spent two-nights on the South Coast, taking part in team building activities, training sessions and matches throughout their stay. The touring team started their trip at Vitality Stadium, where they had an exclusive look behind the scenes in a stadium tour, viewing the changing rooms, media facilities and looking pitch side.
Utilising the local area, the Hamilton Girls took part in a training session on Bournemouth beach, led by AFC Bournemouth Women’s midfielder Molly Barron-Clark, who is also England Women’s Beach Soccer Head Coach. The girls tried out different Beach Soccer training practices and team games during the session. The Hamilton teams also played fixtures against AFC Bournemouth Girls Academy Teams, Wimborne Town Girls and Southampton FC.
Also in April, the Trust coaches returned from a ten-day coaching tour in Cape Town, South Africa. As part of the delivery of the South Africa Community Project, the trip was organised in order to share knowledge and provide experiences with teachers, coaches and young people. The Atlantis Township was the first stop, working specifically with people with additional needs, the Community coaches visited Robinhill SEND School and Orion Organisation, which is a therapeutic centre for people with disabilities as well as visiting the Alphonzo Community Project, learning more about the crime rates and poverty within this specific area. Throughout the visit, they worked within a number of different schools, offering examples of the work delivered in Bournemouth through the Premier League Primary Stars and Premier League Inspires programmes. Teachers and pupils from West Riding Primary School, Robinvale High School, Mountain View Primary School and Blouberg Ridge Primary School took part in a variety of these coaching sessions and activities.
Other areas of work during the trip were the Coaches CPD sessions, parent and player workshops and team coaching sessions, working with the Under7-Under 18 coaches at Sunningdale City FC, parents and players at Edgemead FC and Atlantis LFC. The visit reached nearly 700 children, coaches, parents and school teachers.
During June, the Trust visited the USA to take part in two Summer Camps. Working in partnership with City National Bank, the Trust spent five days coaching at the Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex in Las Vegas. At first, boys and girls aged 7-14 years old took part in Soccer Camps, which included passing, dribbling receiving and shooting, fun games and challenges and attacking and defending principles, and lots of small tournaments.
Later in June, the Trust coaches moved to Texas for two three-day camps with boys and girls aged 7-14 years old working directly with Laredo Heat SC. This was followed by further Soccer Camps, which again included lots of technical practices, fun games and challenges and small-sided tournaments. In July, the Trust continued its partnership with Bermuda FA with a week of girls coaching on the island. Coaching clinics were organised for 9-13, 13-17 and 17+ girls at the Bermuda FA field, where the team of 3 coaches worked through a series of practices testing and challenging the players.
The partnership between AFC Bournemouth and Bermuda FA has developed well in looking to provide football opportunities to young players following the signing of Bermudian international Kenni Thompson for AFC Bournemouth women. The club’s partnership with Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club continued following the Trust’s summer camp in Vegas with the under 14’s and under 16’s teams visiting Bournemouth for a 2 week soccer tour.
The group of 22 players and 3 coaches enjoyed training sessions and matches against community groups and local teams including Wessex Sports, Holt United and Highcliffe Hawks. The group also visited the Vitality Stadium for a tour and to watch the game against Real Sociedad.
Throughout the fortnight stay the young players had the fantastic opportunity of q&a session with Development squad player Ollie morgan and under 18 player Ben Purches who gave a great insight into player development and the pathway of players. Ex players Steve Fletcher and Ian Cox met the group with Steve talking through the history of AFC Bournemouth and Ian leading on a coaching session. The group also enjoyed excursions and downtime enjoying the local area, whilst being based at Canford School.
Play on the Pitch week
11 different community groups took part in this event in June. Over 540 players from across community programmes were invited in for one-off training session on the pitch, including those from Mini-Cherries, Girls Development programmes, the BCS Senior School training groups and the weekly Sport and Social group. Exclusive events were held for young people from the Premier League Primary Stars programme, which included a morning of football coaching activities and small-sided matches for pupils from four local primary schools.
The Premier League Inspires programme ran a female-only event, which invited students from Poole High School, Glenmoor and Winton Academies, Highcliffe School and The Blandford School to take part in a Celebrating Women and Girls workshop, before participating in a tournament on the pitch. The Premier League Kicks programme bought together young people from across the various weekly sessions, alongside a number of local grassroots teams to participate in a positive behaviours workshop and small-sided tournaments. The Disability programme Ability Counts teams enjoyed training sessions, the Impairment Specific side welcomed Parley for a friendly fixture and the Walking Football programme hosted sessions for all players engaging more than 50 individuals in the morning’s sessions. The Play on the Pitch week also provided an opportunity to celebrate the season for the Girls and Women’s programme, with players from the Girls Emerging Talent Centre (ETC) invited for their final training session of the season, as well as the Girls Academy Teams.
Throughout the week, the Trust also hosted events for AFC Bournemouth’s regional partners which included an activities morning, supported partners Bournemouth University and Vitality with their annual pitch events and hosted the latest Cherries Together event, which welcomed families from the Royal Signals Charity.
Young people and adults from the Charity took part in Stadium Tours, looking behind the scenes at the changing rooms and media facilities before running out the tunnel for their own football sessions on the Premier League pitch.
Ringwood Community Hub
The Ringwood Community Hub was officially opened in September 2024 and since then the number of local football clubs, organisations and Trust’s activity groups and programmes using the facility has expanded significantly. At the beginning of the summer the Trust was delighted to host a showcase event at Ringwood Community Hub in partnership with the Premier League. Guests from the local education sector, businesses and organisations were welcomed to a talk from Head of Community Steve Cuss before being able to talk to staff from across the Trust on projects on offer and plans for the future.
Based at the Ringwood Community Hub, it allowed everyone to see what was offer at the new facility both outdoors on the 3g Artificial training pitch and the indoor function space that allows for meetings, celebrations and community events outside of football including toddler groups, dance classes, Zumba and yoga.
Head of Community Steve Cuss said “We were delighted to showcase our ever improving facilities at Ringwood Community Hub, welcoming teachers, partners and business professionals to view first-hand the work currently being delivered by AFC Bournemouth Community Sports Trust alongside plans for the future. We are looking forward to the new season of community delivery and I would like to thank staff, participants and partners for their continued support”.
The charity has free reserves of £692,794 (2024: £765,348) being general reserves less fixed assets.
It is the policy of the trust that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the trust’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.
AFC Bournemouth Community Sports Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on October 11, 2007 and registered as a charity on February 8, 2008. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £10.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
The trustees who are directors for the purpose of company law and trustees for the purpose of charity law, who served during the year and up to the date of this report, are set out on page 2. New trustees are appointed upon the recommendation of existing trustees. One third of the trustees must retire at each annual general meeting and offer themselves for re-election.
Risk management
The trustees have identified and considered the main risks to which the Trust is exposed and have taken the necessary steps to mitigate and manage these risks on a regular basis.
Day to day responsibility for the provision of services rests with the head of the Community Sports Trust, Steve Cuss, a qualified FA and UEFA coach. He is supported by Senior Managers Andrew Battison and Luke Simpson. All administration is undertaken by Anne Cuss.
The trustees, who are also the directors of AFC Bournemouth Community Sports Trust for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company Law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the trust and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.
In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the trust will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the trust and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the trust and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that TC Group be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting.
The trustees report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of AFC Bournemouth Community Sports Trust (the ‘trust’) for the year ended 30 November 2025 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion, the financial statements:
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the trust in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
the trustees use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is not appropriate; or
the trustees have not disclosed in the financial statements any identified material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt about the trust’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting for a period of at least twelve months from the date when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 require us to report to you if, in our opinion:
the information given in the financial statements is inconsistent in any material respect with the trustees report; or
sufficient accounting records have not been kept; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
As explained more fully in the statement of trustees responsibilities, the trustees, who are also the directors of the trust for the purpose of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the trust’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks applicable to the charity and the sector in which they operate.
We obtained an understanding of how the charity is complying with those legal and regulatory frameworks by making enquires of management and Trustees.
We assessed the susceptibility of the charity's financial statements to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur. Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:
1. Identifying and assessing the design effectiveness of controls management has in place to prevent and detect fraud.
2. Understanding how those charged with governance considered and addressed the potential for override of controls or other inappropriate influence over the financial reporting process.
3. Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in its accounting estimates, in particular in relation to income recognition and cut off.
4. Identifying and testing journal entries, in particular any journal entries posted with unusual account
combinations; and
5. Assessing the extent of compliance with the relevant law and regulations.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance.
The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
AFC Bournemouth Community Sports Trust is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Vitality Stadium, Dean Court, Kings Park, Bournemouth, BH7 7AF.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the trust's [governing document], the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019). The trust is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the trust. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, [modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value]. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the trust has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the trust has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Grants are recognised when the charity has an entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met. Where performance obligations are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the balance sheet as deferred income to be released.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Intangible assets acquired separately from a business are recognised at cost and are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses.
Intangible assets acquired on business combinations are recognised separately from goodwill at the acquisition date where it is probable that the expected future economic benefits that are attributable to the asset will flow to the entity and the fair value of the asset can be measured reliably; the intangible asset arises from contractual or other legal rights; and the intangible asset is separable from the entity.
Amortisation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
At each reporting end date, the trust reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the trust is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
In the application of the trust’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The remuneration of key management personnel was as follows:
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
The trust operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the trust in an independently administered fund.
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
The specific purpose for which the funds are to be applied are as follows:
PL Kicks and Kicks Discretionary
PL Kicks Core and Discretionary are projects funded by the PL Charitable Fund which use the power of football and value of sports participation to help hard to reach youngsters and reduce anti social behaviour.
PL Primary Stars
A new programme to replace School Sports which delivers English and Maths sessions in schools with the aim of inspiring children in teamwork and sports.
AFC Bournemouth local projects
Funding received from the football club to provide a range of community benefit projects.
PL Health
Used to deliver men's health interventions.
PL Next Generation Coaches
Programmes to develop coaching development systems in a safe and challenging environment.
PL Inspire
A programme to support 11-16 year olds who are marginalized or at risk of not reaching their potential.
BBC Children in Need
Funding was received to purchase a van used as a safe mobile activity space for children and young people who live in Left Behind Areas where there are a lack of local youth facilities. The transfer out of the fund represents the purchase of the van and fulfilling of the restrictions.
PL Ringwood Hub
Funding for the employment of a hub officer to set up delivery and develop community projects.
PL Girls and Women
Funding to develop women's and girl's football.
Football Foundation
Funding for the development of the Ringwood hub.
PL Policy
Funding to be used for the formal launch of the new facilities in Ringwood.
PL Community Outreach
Funding from the PLCF for the community outreach project.
PL Fans Fund
Funding to support a range of fan-focused and fan-led projects, helping to foster a sense of belonging through meaningful engagement.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
At the reporting end date the trust had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:
During the year, the charity was still active in their new premises. Although the lease has not yet been finalised and signed, under FRS102 a lease can be considered legally binding even if in draft status. As the charity is paying rent at the value on the lease document and there is verbal agreement between both parties, this is considered disclosable.
During the year the charity made the following related party transactions:
AFC Bournemouth Limited
AFC Bournemouth Limited is considered to be a related party due to its influence over the charity.
During the year the charitable company has made purchases from the football club to the value of £3,834 (2024:£98). The charitable company also raised sales invoices to the value of £87,329 (2024: £94,571). At the balance sheet date the amount due from AFC Bournemouth Limited was £28,262 (2024: £23,853).
The trust had no material debt during the year.