YOUNG Brewer Tommy Hill will be representing the Academy when he donates old football kits to Gambian children this Christmas.
Hill, an Academy player, has travelled to Gambia with his family for the festive period with his family to donate old football kits and help run a football tournament for children.
His family decided to spend Christmas and New Year at the Gunjur Project Lodge in Gambia, which where people can travel to in order to volunteer in various ways to help the local community.
When thinking about skills they had to offer that could help the local community they decided to help organise a community football tournament for juniors in the village.
Then with the support of other Young Brewers in the Burton Albion Academy, he has collected a large number of donated boots, shin pads, kit, trophies and medals that have all been donated and will used in the tournament.
Tommy’s parents’ business is also going to sponsor the tournament and donate matching team kit for the players to wear and for the community to keep for future football in the community.
Tommy said. "We were thinking what we could best do to help the community. We read on the charity’s website that helping develop sport in the community was something others had done in past.
“So, we had the idea to help organise a football tournament in the village. And as soon as we asked players in the Academy and at FFA Ellistown, we got loads of old kit and medals and trophies donated we could take with us.
“All the players who have donated kit have been brilliant and excited to help. The hardest part is fitting it all in our cases that we are taking! We have heard the village are really excited about the tournament. They have organised eight teams to be in it and it's going to last over three days!"