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Train and bus operator FirstGroup plc have agreed a sponsorship at Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust's new Development Centre, due to open in January, as part of the company's new First for Football initiative.

The FirstGroup Development Centre will provide coaching sessions for young footballers, with a view to eventually passing them on to the Yeovil Town Centre of Excellence.

Coaching sessions will not only focus on football, but on healthy lifestyles and social responsibilities in an attempt to make a difference to how youngsters improve their own diet and fitness regimes.

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The Yeovil Town Development Centre sponsorship is part of FirstGroup's First for Football programme which involves nine other Football League clubs in the south west region.

John Fry, Chairman of Yeovil Town Football Club and Yeovil's Community Sports Trust said: "We are delighted to be involved with First Group and their new grassroots football initiative.

"Funding is always an issue with Community projects and to receive direct help such as we have received from FirstGroup goes a long way to making these projects possible.

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"Grassroots football is the future for every League club in England and Europe and linking with a company as large as FirstGroup can only help with both publicity and funding.

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"I hope this can be the start of a long and fruitful association."

FirstGroup Chief Executive Sir Moir Lockhead said: "We feel it is extremely worthwhile to contribute to this new Development Centre with Yeovil Town, supporting youngsters from the Yeovil area.

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"We will be helping thousands of youngsters through football to better understand the importance of fitness, a healthy lifestyle and education."

In May this year FirstGroup sponsored a Junior Soccer Tournament at Swindon Town's County Ground stadium. The one-day event attracted 800 young players supported by around 3,000 cheering parents!

First for Football is one of a number of sponsorship packages set up by FirstGroup. Examples include the First Monster duathlon - a 120k team-based running and cycling event around Loch Ness each September and a deal with UK School Games where FirstGroup are the official transport provider for the athletics finals.