Football brings net gains for youngsters

FOOTBALL has helped tackle anti-social behaviour in Hathershaw and Fitton Hill.

Every Friday and Saturday since March, youngsters have taken part in matches at the Honeywell Centre, Ashton Road, between 6.30 and 9.30pm.

The aim was to engage young people in a positive and constructive activity in an area blighted by anti-social behaviour — and it’s seen more than 100 youngsters attend and problems plummet.

Oldham Athletic Community Trust Kickz project and Inclusion co-ordinator James Mwale said: “So far the project has been a great success and young people within the area are reaping the benefits of having a place to ‘hang out’ and play football on a regular basis.

“Within the area, levels of anti-social behaviour during Friday and Saturday nights have gone down.

Due to the success of the project we are now keen on trying to secure further funding to continue the sessions all-year round.”

The project was set up with the help of Oldham Athletic Community Trust, Challenge and Support, New Deal for Communities, Villages Housing Association, Oldham Integrated Services and Groundwork Oldham and Rochdale.

Mr Mwale added: “It’s been brilliant. The young people in the area seem to love their football and it’s very positive to see them playing on Friday and Saturday nights. We are now looking into providing different educational activities alongside the football to add value to what the young people can benefit from.”

Lead coach from Oldham Athletic Community Trust, Andy Williams, said: “I think it’s great that we are running a project like this in the area, it gives young people the opportunity to do something positive while making new friends.

“Since the beginning of our sessions, I have noticed a real difference in the attitude in a lot of the young people, which goes to show the impact of the work we do.”