A football club is hoping to build on the Olympic legacy and provide a valuable opportunity for young people to broaden their sporting horizons.

This summer, AFC Sudbury Grassroots will send 26 young footballers, aged between 13 and 15, to Sudbury’s twin town of Höxter in Germany.

The aim is to continue to strengthen community links forged last year by the town council as part of Sudbury’s Olympic celebrations.

AFC Sudbury Grassroots was formed in 2006 and has grown to include more than 15 teams from U7s to U18s, and a girls’ and ladies’ team.

The club has a total of 174 registered players.

The idea of the scheme is to place clubs at the heart of their communities and make football accessible to all. Grassroots committee members, coaches and managers are all volunteers who also support community events in the town.

The team heading to Hoxter will leave on August 15.

During the four-day visit the young players will have time to train with German coaches and participate in friendly football matches, including a tournament with teams from local towns and villages.

Staying in a youth hostel, the youngsters will have a packed itinerary, including a day trip to the home of Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund.

Chairman of AFC Sudbury Grassroots, Clive Golding, will be leading the Hoxter trip.

He said: “Having the opportunity last year to host SV Höxter and support the Olympic events made us want to have a Sudbury Olympic legacy, and as an FA community chartered standard club, we understand the importance of giving our young people the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills that aren’t just football based.

“This trip gives us an exciting opportunity to build links with our twin town, and we hope it will enable the team to make friendships that will last into adulthood.”

Travelling with nine volunteer coaches and committee members, the players hope to be able to learn a little of the German language and explore the historic town of Höxter.

All 35 travellers are funding the trip themselves, although AFC Sudbury Grassroots hopes to raise some additional funds to help pay for extras such as drinks and snacks for the journey.

The club has approached Sudbury Town Council and local businesses for support.

Anyone interested in providing sponsorship can call Clive Golding on 07837 677591 or via email at afcsudbury@gmail.com