Inter-agency football tournament

by Saffron Young People's Project

In October 2007, the Saffron Neighbourhood Management Board awarded SYPP a grant of £500 towards funding a inter-agency football tournament.  This tournament was organised by SYPP and was held at Goals Soccer Centre on 22^nd October 2007.  A number of youth projects were involved and it gave the young people the opportunity to interact with professional organisations and increase their confidence.

There were five teams who took part in the tournament:

• Saffron Resource Centre team

• Young boys from their Monday night football session

• Young people from the Goldhill Adventure Playground

• Welford Road police officers

• Leicester City Football Club’s community football team

The aim of the project was to bring young people and adults together, to enjoy football together and increase fitness, confidence and self-esteem.  The evening was also an opportunity for the youth projects to hold an awards ceremony to recognise young people who had worked hard and had specific achievements.

70 people took part in the tournaments and around 100 came to watch and support the teams, making it a great community event.

Claire Nestor from SYPP said:  “We have had great feedback from the people who attended and took part in the tournament.  Everyone really enjoyed it and have asked when they could do this again!”

Outcomes

• The young people took part in an activity that increases fitness, confidence and self-esteem

• The tournament brought together different ages of residents and workers from Saffron, allowing them to build better relationships in the context of a sporting event

• The achievements of young people were recognised by the presentation of awards