Doncaster Rovers Community Sport and Education Foundation, or Rovers in the Community as they are more widely known, have certainly enjoyed one of their most successful pre-seasons this summer.
As always, the Rovers in the Community team have ran their Summer Soccer Courses over the entire six week school summer holidays - which this summer has been met with a fantastic reception from the parents and children of the Doncaster area.
Previous highest figures for children taking part in the Summer Soccer Courses stands at between 700 and 800, however this summer has seen over 1,000 children already take part in the courses, with that figure set to grow in this - the final week of the school holidays.
The courses are a superb way for children to pick up the basics of football - or indeed perfect the skills they already possess. The courses have been open to boys and girls of all ages and abilities and have comprised of a mixture of football activities.
Heading, shooting, turning with the ball and keeping possession have all been skills practiced and taught to youngsters enjoying the courses ran by the Rovers in the Community team, as well as participation in mini games and spells of goalkeeping training which has since developed into the Rovers in the Community running their own separate courses for goalkeeper training.
"The soccer courses this summer have been a huge success," confirmed Community Officer Richard Bailey.
"The success of the football club has helped us. The higher level that the club is now playing at has raised the profile of all aspects of the football club including ourselves in Rovers in the Community. I think now, you will have a look in the stands and see more children supporting the Rovers more than ever!"
"The feedback that we have had from the children and from the parents has been fantastic," Richard continues.
"We've had people come in, just this morning, and say that they had no idea just how much we did in these sessions and how far an area we cover. As a parent, I know how difficult the summer holidays are when you are working parents. We pride ourselves on being able to alleviate the difficulty of taking time off work as a parent and provide children with an activity that enables them to stay healthy, active and enjoyable."
To find out more about what Rovers in the Community offer, get in touch with either Richard or the Community manager Eric Randerson on 01302 763663.
