With the Euros in full swing, football fever is gripping the town, and here's how you can participate in a festival of football this weekend, and be in with the chance of winning tickets to a Premier League match.
The Rotary Club of Basingstoke's inaugural Festival of Football will kick off this weekend, and it promises to be "an experience to savour."
Taking place on Saturday, July 6, at the Winklebury Sports Complex - home of Hampshire FA and current home of Basingstoke Town FC - organisers are excited to bring a "day of fun" to the town.
The festival will begin at 11am and end at 5pm in time for England take on Switzerland in the Quarter-Final of the Euros.
READ MORE: Here's how you can get involved with Basingstoke Rotary's first football festival
Open to all ages, from children to grandparents, organisers are bringing a whole host of activities, from five-a-side to walking football.
Those who think they've got what it takes to rival Harry Kane will have the chance to prove it by taking part in a penalty shootout challenge.
There will even be a raffle, complete with some top prizes including tickets to a Premier League match next season.
As if that isn't enough, the mighty yellow-blue army - Basingstoke Town FC themselves - will be holding an open training session.
SEE ALSO: BCoT teams up with Rotary Club to bring family football festival to Basingstoke
President of the Rotary Club of Basingstoke, Dr Tunde Adelakun, is the brains behind the event.
With a background in international football coaching, he plans to "bring the whole Basingstoke community together with the power of football".
He told the Gazette: "We are really excited about this event coming up on Saturday. It feels like it was made to happen. Fancy having it just before the start of a big England game and we have a chance to get people into the mood of the game, with an experience to savour - families on the pitch to play football. It’s just great.
"Basingstoke Town Football Club will be there identifying with their local community. We are proud of that. The mayor will be there. And we have prizes to be won - Premier League match tickets.
"That is what Rotary is all about. To bring joy, laughter and hope to the community that we belong to. And remain selfless in all that we do.
"We will present people with a chance to predict the score of the game; and win great prizes.
"A day of fun, never had before on a football pitch in Basingstoke - and all through the Rotary Club of Basingstoke."
For more information, email newagerotarybasingstoke@mail.com.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel