14 September 2007
£11m funding announced by Gordon Brown today will mean every football club in London will be able to take part in a scheme to change young peoples’ lives.
Kickz, a partnership of 19 Premiership and 11 Football League clubs, offers young people the chance to take part in frequent sports sessions. They will also take part in educational sessions about issues such as healthy lifestyles and the dangers of drug use and carrying weapons.
As a result of the joint investment, Kickz will now be extended to more than 100 projects and 12,000 teenagers in the most deprived areas of the country, more than four times the existing provision.
Police reported that anti-social behaviour and low-level crime in pilot areas fell by an average of 27 per cent on the days that Kickz sessions were held. Criminal damage was down 31 per cent on average and minor assault down 26 per cent on average.
The new funding will mean that every Premier League and Football League club in London will be involved in the scheme in partnership with Police Safer Neighbourhoods teams and local authorities. Outside of the capital Aston Villa FC, Sheffield United FC and Reading FC are the latest clubs to join Kickz following the new investment.
The Prime Minister said football clubs are "perfectly placed" to offer something back to "some of the most marginalised members of society".
Young people learn "self-respect, personal achievement and a sense of responsibility", he said.
"Kickz shows the extraordinary power of football and sport in general to reach young people and provide a route into volunteering, training, education and employment."
The Football Foundation, the Metropolitan Police the Government are all contributing to the scheme. Matched funding provided by local bodies will boost the total amount to more than £11m over three years.
Successful pilots took place at Tottenham Hotspur FC, Fulham FC, Brentford FC and Manchester City FC. Police said they had helped break down barriers between young people and local police officers.
Kickz aims to roll the scheme out nationwide, and offer the programme to every professional football club in the country.
Image copyright: Reuters
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