28 July 2010
Coventry Summer Football Academy
Coventry Police have organised a summer football academy for young people in Cheylesmore to help tackle anti-social behaviour, paid for by a local housing association.
Police were concerned about a number of anti-social behaviour issues involving young people in Cheylesmore around Arundel Close, Croydon Close and Cascade Close.
Speaking to young people in the area it was clear that the problems were a result of them having nothing to do. Fearing that the problem would escalate during the summer holidays officers polled local youngsters to see what activities they would prefer to put their energies into.
Overwhelmingly they asked for football training. PCSO Sarah Coton put together a proposal for a six-week long football summer school to local housing association, Whitefriars Housing Group, who donated £400 towards the project.
Young people selected for the football academy are children of Whitefriars tenants in the area. The academy will run once a week for the six-week holidays using an organisation run by FA Cup finalist midfielder, Lloyd McGrath.
Officers have also put signs up around Cheylesmore and visited parents of the children in the area involved in anti-social behaviour to explain what effect their child’s behaviour is having on other residents.
PCSO Sarah Coton said: “We really wanted to be able to help the young people in the area to do something constructive with their time and at the same time tackle the anti-social behaviour blighting Cheylesmore.
“Thanks to the funding from Whitefriars Housing Group the youngsters are excited about taking part in the football academy which gives them something really positive to do at a time when a lot of other free sports schemes are being cut.”
Whitefriars’ has given the academy £400 through its Pride in our Streets grant scheme, which allows residents to bid for up to £5,000 from the £150,000 pot available for schemes across the association’s estates and it is judged by a customer panel.
Lynn Hanson, head of customer engagement for Whitefriars Housing Group, said: “We are always looking for community projects which are going to benefit the communities in which our tenants live.
“We hope this funding helps the police run the football academy which will in turn reduce anti-social behaviour and encourage young people to get involved in active and healthy activities.
“We are committed to investing in communities to benefit our tenants whilst ensuring they live in peaceful and enjoyable neighbourhoods.”
If you have an idea on how to improve your community, visit www.whitefriarshousing.co.uk to download a Pride in our Streets application pack, or contact the Customer Involvement Team on 024 7666 4430. The deadline for applications is 18 October.
Contact details
Hilary Hopker
Communications Manager
Coventry Police
0345 113 5000 ext 7931 6106
website: www.coventrypolice.org.uk
Facebook www.facebook.com/coventrypolice