KIDS GO FOOTBALL CRAZY THANKS TO PITCHES

Published 5 Aug 2009 17:01

YOUNG people from Renfrewshire who have taken part in an innovative youth diversion scheme played in a special five-a-side tournament to coincide with the Renfrewshire Cup.

Ten teenagers from across Renfrewshire joined ten from East Renfrewshire and ten from Inverclyde to play in the five-a-side tournament on the day of the traditional derby match between St Mirren and Morton Football Clubs.

The tournament was played on mobile football pitches which are used as part of an initiative that aims to reduce anti-social behaviour at identified hotspots across Renfrewshire by engaging young people in sports.

Councillor Brian Lawson, Renfrewshire Council's Community Safety spokesperson, said: "The mobile football pitches have been an extremely popular addition to our youth activity sessions. We're seeing really encouraging responses with a great number of young people in our communities participating in organised sessions where they may not have done previously.

"The St Mirren coaches have been fantastic and this friendly tournament is a great way to encourage positive interaction between young people from different areas in Renfrewshire and further afield."

As well as playing in the friendly tournament last Tuesday all the young people went to St Mirren Park for the Renfrewshire Cup match to support their respective local teams.

Frazer Robertson, of St Mirren Football Club, said: "St Mirren FC are delighted to be involved in the new Renfrewshire Street Football Programme. The response and support that the coaches have had from the local communities and also from the youths that have been taking part has been overwhelming and long may it continue."

The mobile pitches, along with the Youthbus and 'The Box', are out every Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights offering young people access to sports and other activities including computer games, dance mats and DJ workshops.

The scheme is operated by St Mirren and the Safer and the Stronger Renfrewshire Partnership, led by Renfrewshire Council, Strathclyde Police and Paisley Partnership Regeneration Company (PPRC).

Between now and September, the mobile football pitches will visit Kirklandneuk Community Centre on Thursday and Saturday nights from 6.30pm to 9.30pm, and Our Lady of Peace Primary School in Linwood on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 6.30pm to 9.30pm.

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This article appeared in The Gazette 05 Aug 09

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