Stoke City striker Kenwyne Jones kick-starts community project
By Aimi Redfern (The Sentinel)YOUNGSTERS from a city estate are being offered free activities in a bid to steer them away from anti-social behaviour.
Stoke City Football Club has teamed up with Staffordshire Police and Stoke-on-Trent City Council to set up the city's first Kickz project in Bentilee.
The £125,000 scheme will give young people something constructive to do by offering them the chance to take part in activities three nights a week.
Two sessions will be football-based, while the third will offer other activities requested by the youngsters.
Adrian Hurst, Stoke City's community programme manager, said the scheme was designed to break down barriers between young people and local agencies.
"We are trying to give them opportunities to do something positive," he added.
"The age group is usually 12 to 18, but we've got extra staff involved so people younger than that can come as well.
"Two nights will be football-focused, and the third will be a flexible session led by the young people so they can try other things like DJing or other sports."
Participants do not necessarily have to be good at football, as organisers will work with them to improve their sporting as well as social skills.
Mr Hurst added: "Hopefully, further down the line, we will be able to provide evidence that we are saving the authorities money on dealing with anti-social behaviour and crime by giving young people something constructive to do."
The national Kickz programme was created by the Premier League and the Metropolitan Police four years ago to work with children in disadvantaged areas.
Stoke City is the 41st football club to become involved nationally, and the Bentilee project is the first in Stoke-on-Trent.
The Premier League and the Safer City Partnership, which involves the city council, police and fire service, has provided £125,000 to fund the project for three years.
Through the programme, youngsters will also be offered educational sessions on issues including healthy lifestyles, drug and substance misuse and carrying weapons.
Inspector Matt Bennion, commander of Bucknall Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said the local community had suffered from anti-social behaviour for some time.
And he added: "I will have my officers at the sessions so they can get to know the young people and vice-versa.
"If we can build up a rapport hopefully we can divert them away from anti-social behaviour and intimidating the community."
The project has already been running for several weeks at Bentilee Pavilion. It was officially launched yesterday by Stoke City striker Kenwyne Jones.
And it has proved a success with youngsters in the area. Mitchell High School pupil Liam Johnson, aged 12, from Beverley Drive, said: "I've grown up loving Stoke City and I think this is a good programme. It's good to have things to do."
Ben Morris, aged 10, from Brundall Oval, is also a keen Potters fan. The Maple Court Primary School pupil said: "I think it's an excellent idea, I will definitely go along."
Kickz sessions are on Tuesday and Wednesday, from 4pm until 7pm, and Friday from 6pm until 9pm.
