Football clubs back Kickz project to keep young people out of trouble » Communities » 24dash.com

Andy Burnham MP joined young people at a Kickz football session in Liverpool to announce an expansion of the sports scheme.

Kickz is a national initiative, managed by the Football Foundation and run by 18 Premier League and 13 Football League clubs across the country, working in partnership with local police forces.

In Merseyside the scheme is run jointly by Everton and Liverpool Football Clubs with partners including Merseyside Police. It gives young people aged 12-18 in the most deprived areas the chance to play sports and other activities three nights a week, 48 weeks of the year.

Educational sessions are also offered as part of the scheme, teaching young people about issues such as healthy lifestyles and the dangers of drug use and carrying weapons.

During the kickabout at Anfield Sport and Community Centre, Breckside Park, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport announced that eight more professional football clubs would be taking part in the scheme.

They include Brighton and Hove Albion, Norwich City, a joint project between Nottingham Forest and Notts County, Oldham Athletic, Plymouth Argyle, Southampton and Southend United. This means that from this month 39 clubs will be involved in Kickz, with 98 projects being delivered.

Mr Burnham said: "If you ever needed evidence of how sport can reach out and help young people, then Kickz is it. It shows how football can work in the community to reduce crime and give young people hope of a better life.

"It also brings people together, which is why I am delighted to see that my club Everton and Liverpool have joined forces and are now working together to give something back to the communities that are the bedrock of the clubs.

"It is vital that football stays in touch with its roots. Kickz is a fantastic success story and continues to go from strength to strength."

Merseyside Police deputy chief constable Bernard Lawson said: "I am proud that Merseyside Police is part of this excellent programme, and that Merseyside Police Authority is contributing to sustain the scheme.

"Kickz adds to an overall strategy to address crime and anti-social behaviour in key areas of the city. It is also designed to provide opportunities for young people to interact with police staff on positive terms, giving the opportunity to help break down any potential barriers.

"Solutions to local issues are strengthened by working together, and I was pleased to see that the Safer Knowsley Partnership recently acknowledged the Everton/Liverpool Kickz partners, for their contribution to crime and disorder reduction."

Football Foundation chief executive Paul Thorogood said: "The fact that more than 16,000 of our most disadvantaged young people have been engaged already, demonstrates what a roaring success Kickz has been at achieving its stated outcomes of reducing crime and antisocial behaviour through engaging young people in sport, particularly football.

"The Everton/Liverpool Kickz programme engaged more than 650 young people in its first year of delivery, with 27 young people (aged 16-25) volunteering at the projects and 40 gaining qualifications and accreditations.

"Across the country the Football Foundation has committed £34 million for 347 social inclusion projects and we will continue to use the unique power of football and other activities to change society for the better by creating safer communities."