Youth coaches at a football club are raising funds for a new indoor facility in West Dorset.

Tom Richardson and friends, Ian Black and Jamie Harwood, who are coaches with Bridport FC youth teams, recently set up the Precision Football Arena - a not for profit organisation in Beaminster.

They are now crowdfunding to raise funds to install a new state of the art community indoor facility proposed for a warehouse in the Horn Park area of Beaminster. According to the group, this is because of the wet winter West Dorset had seen where flooded pitches brought games to a halt. 

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: Designs have been unveiled to provide a safe and dry place for local football teams, children and community members and a brand new 3G pitch as well as a gym.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: If the money is raised for the work to go ahead, the group have pledged to offer mental health support football sessions, sessions for children aged between two to eight years, SEN football sessions for children with additional needs, walking football sessions aimed for people aged over 50 and football holiday camps for children during the school holidays.

At the time of writing, the group have raised £4,440 in the first day of fundraising out of a total goal of £50,000.

It will be the only facility of its kind in the area. 

The funds will cover a modernisation of the facility, a 3G artificial pitch, training and gym equipment, a new barroom, kitchen and changing room facilities, security cameras, and a party area.

Tom Richardson said: “We have received around £4,500 which has been amazing as we just literally launched the crowdfunder this morning- it's been great feedback. 

"We are all coaches and we are trying to build this indoor pitch after the amount of times we've had to cancel training due to the poor weather this winter. 

Running coaching sessions from the local youth club, Mr Richardson said it was 'not an ideal environment' for indoor sessions, and said the interest in the community is 'definitely there.'

He added: “We know that movement makes people happier and healthier, and it does the same thing for our communities – with life-changing, sustainable benefits that have huge economic and social value. 

"Our goal is to promote a healthy, active lifestyle, fostering skill development, inclusivity, and community engagement through a variety of football-related activities to all to enjoy.”

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: Mr Richardson already works within the local football community after retiring from the world of professional football, setting up local company Supastrikers two years ago in Bridport to introduce children between the ages of two to eight years old, attracting more than 80 children each week.  

He is also the manager of the Bridport Youth under 13 side, whilst his partners Jamie and Ian are the under 8s football team coach and under 12s coach respectively.

To view or donate to the Crowdfunder, visit  www.crowdunder.co.uk/p/communityindoorpitch#start