Stars FC have recently announced the location of their new home, Canford Park Sports Pitches.
Their new facility, which is seven acres long, has been transformed into three high-standard 11v11 grass pitches, a further seven smaller pitches, training grids and bespoke goalkeeping areas.
Stars FC owner, Sam Bayston, shared his delight with the process of the project in an attempt to provide a clear pathway for the younger generation into the first team.
He said: “Over the next few years, we will have children from age two all the way to under 16’s, and then obviously have an adult team at the pinnacle of that.”
Bayston added: “The vision behind the project is to have our younger players eventually breaking through into the first team set up.”
The first team currently competes in the Dorset League Division One and has won all 11 matches they have played so far this season.
With Stars FC flying through the divisions, Bayston shares his aim of success, he said: “At any level it’s very difficult to win as many games as possible, we want to try and continue that for the rest of the season and come three years’ time we want to be in the Dorset Premier League and pushing for the Wessex League.”
Bayston added: “We will also have a full player pathway for talented children to come through and flourish.”
The club was formed in 2015 with the philosophy of the club based around inclusivity; they have been in search of a new home for the last few years and when AFC Bournemouth academy relocated, everything fell into place for Bayston and Stars FC.
The former non-league footballer commented on the developments, he said: “We were on the hunt for a new ground, it was a lengthy process, but we eventually finalised it and as of the 1st January, we have got a long-term license on the whole facility to run football.”
Bayston added: “The impact of this will not only help our first team with our ambitions of what we’ve been able to do this year, with the youth teams and other grassroots local clubs to help us make it one of the best football facilities in the South and there is no reason why we can’t do that.”
The FA (Football Association) has stated in a recent study that 5.1 million children are now actively involved in youth football and multiple academic sources have emphasised the health benefits to playing football regularly from a young age.
Bayston reiterated the importance of ensuring children have a place to play and enjoy extra-curricular activities, he said: “Moving to Canford allows us to have everyone together, which is the most important thing, as well as having a facility that children can constantly be at.
He added: “We’ve got such great facilities which will help our young generation develop in terms of playing on great surfaces and learning key aspects of the game which will hopefully allow them to progress through the age groups.”
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