The Lord Provost to kick off Street Football Project
29/05/08
Peter Stephen, the Lord Provost of Aberdeen will launch a Street Football Project organised by the YMCA, on a mobile pitch at 7pm tonight (Thursday, 29 May) at Sheddocksley Baptist Church, Eday Road, Aberdeen.
The YMCA’s ‘Street Outreach Project’ makes available a portable sports arena, which can be set up in around 30 minutes in any open space including car parks and grassy areas, to take sport to young people.
Games organised by youth workers and volunteers will provide a well-structured environment for young people to socialise and engage in meaningful team sports along “fair-play” rules.
The YMCA’s project will be a permanent weekly fixture with young people in the Summerhill and Cornhill communities with the YMCA working in partnership with Sheddocksley Baptist Church and Stockethill Parish Church of Scotland.
Following a needs analysis set up in response to an increase in incidents of vandalism and anti-social behaviour in the areas, The scheme, which has cost in excess of £50,000 to set-up, has been funded with major grants from Sport Relief, YouthLink Scotland and The Robertson Trust.
The street project hopes to benefit over sixty young people each week in the first instance with YMCA youth workers and partners engaging with young people with the aim of reducing anti-social behaviour and diverting young people from alcohol, drug and substance misuse.
Mike Will, Executive Chairman of Aberdeen YMCA said: "By encouraging a more active lifestyle it is hoped that we can address drug and alcohol misuse by young people and focus on the prevention of substance misuse in our efforts to promote the health of young people in body, mind and spirit."
"The YMCA strategic policy for delivering a youth work response to those at risk has moved towards a detached youth work delivery rather than centre based. The YMCA Board of Directors are positive about working in the north of Aberdeen because of the issues and challenges that present themselves to young people and, as a Christian response to these, we want to work in partnership with local faith-based organisations rather than in isolation to them. In doing so, and working as one body, the impact we have in unity with one another will be more beneficial for the young people and their communities.”
The project partners plan to develop the project further by organising holiday football programmes and football clinics; after-school football programme for primary school aged young people; and community events to include activities for parents and children.
If you have any queries regarding this, or any other news story, please contact Aberdeen City Council on: 01224 522000.
