FOOTBALL fans brace yourselves as a new 6 a side league will be launching in Ascot very soon.

Leisure Leagues has launched its 6 a side club at Ascot Town FC in a bid to budding players a chance to play football and improve their mental health.

Keen footballers or people who want to enjoy kicking a ball with their mates can sign up to start playing in September.

ALSO READ: Afternoon tea in Bracknell? 5 places you NEED to visit this week

Tom Nash, director of Leisure Leagues explained how football will prove to be "vital in the battle to improve the nation’s physical and mental health"in the coming weeks.

He said: “The four months of inactivity we have undergone as a nation has been tough for everyone.

“The effects on obesity are well known – but also the mental health aspects are important too. People have been isolated, literally, away from their friends and family, and the vital camaraderie that we need has been lost.”

The 6 a side league will see hundreds of local players able to play in Ascot.

READ MORE: Heatwave sees rise in fires as crews tackle almost 80 fires in just two weeks

Steps have also been taken to ensure the leagues are Covid-19 safe, with a string of new measures including asking teams to pay for their games with a card rather than cash and not allowing teams within two metres of the referee.

Mr Nash added: “The wonderful thing about these leagues is they are a real community hub. Some of our players are top class, while others might not have played football for a long time, it brings everyone together.”

There are prizes for the winners too with them getting entry into the Leisure Leagues Prize Draw to see them jet to a game in one of Europe’s top leagues.

There are also prizes for the runners up including Most Valuable Player and a prize for the bottom team.

Qualified referees will have all equipment provided, together with regular training from the likes of Mark Clattenburg, who is a Leisure Leagues Ambassador

https://www.leisureleagues.net/league/ascot-united-football-club/ascot-sunday