Sports events just the ticket

Young people in Rochdale are being encouraged to make more of their weekend nights by coming along to a new evening of action packed activities.

Rochdale Council and Rochdale AFC Football in the Community have joined forces to put on a programme of sports-based activities for 11-17 year olds in the hope it will give young people positive things to do, reducing boredom.

A range of events are being held at Rochdale Football Club on Friday evenings and Springhill High School on Saturdays. Activities on offer include multi-sports events, football tournaments and skills coaching. There will also be gym circuit training as well as I.T and internet sessions and space to chill out with friends.

The locations have been specifically chosen to target areas of anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Irene Davidson, portfolio holder for Children, Schools & Families said: “I hope that by giving young people positive activities to participate in, in a safe environment, it will encourage them to use their free time more productively.”

The council’s youth service has been into the borough’s schools to help promote the scheme. Youth workers and youth groups have also been targeted to ensure as many young people as possible take part.

Keith Hicks, Head of Community at Rochdale AFC said the projects are already being well received but want more young people to come along and join in the fun: “Both nights have something to offer for everyone and we have been really pleased with the success so far. The sessions at Springhill especially have experienced high attendance rates and we hope more and more young people will choose to visit us.”

The projects are funded by the Youth Crime Action Plan and Rochdale Council.

Funds for the scheme run until the end of March, but it is hoped they will continue beyond that.

The events are held every weekend; on Friday evenings at Rochdale AFC from 4pm-7pm and on Saturdays at Springhill High from 4pm-6pm.

For more information contact Keith Hicks:

Telephone: 01706 643836 / 07958 593121

Email: keith.hicks@rochdaleafc.co.uk

Or Mick Wild:

Telephone: 07933 203353

Email: mickwild2@hotmail.co.uk