A Douglas football club’s junior set-up is growing.

Over the past two years, the club has started training sessions for children at school reception age through to the age of nine and is now coaching more than 50 youngsters each week.

One of the DAFC junior coaches, Lee Shields, said: ’Our junior "Grassroots" programme was set up in 2016 and we have been able to expand in a number of ways, as well as provide a healthy and safe environment for young players to learn and develop within the sport.

’To go from having six children registered in the summer of 2016 to now coaching 50 plus speaks volumes for the progress but we hope to continue building on this each year and we’re always looking for new players.’

Accountancy firm PwC has now renewed its sponsorship of Douglas Athletic Juniors.

’The sponsorship provided by PwC makes such a difference in the community and is such an integral part of our junior set-up,’ Mr Shields said.

The club’s under eights team recently finished runners-up at its first official tournament.

Meanwhile, coach Sophie McKnight recently won Isle of Man FA’s young volunteer of the year award and intends on completing the FA Level Two coaching qualification early next year.

Money from PwC has helped buy a new kit for the under sevens team, bought equipment such as balls, bibs, pop-up nets and first aid bags.

It will also be used towards the funding of five new coaches undertaking their FA Level One coaching course and will pay for extra indoor training sessions throughout the winter to meet the demand of the growing number of young players.

Paul Jones, assurance director at PwC Isle of Man, said: ’We have many members of staff whose children are interested in football and it’s an important part of our ethos to help make the sport available to all.

’Learning a sport and values like teamwork and discipline are so important for the next generation, understanding the value of effort and the ability to communicate and cooperate.

’We wish Douglas Athletic and all their junior players all the best throughout the 2018/19 season.’