Amazing results for local footie project

Something had to be done. Shoppers were complaining about young people being a nuisance in Broadwater shopping area.

And these young people were complaining that they had nowhere to play football for free, close by, with good lighting during the winter months.

To tackle this problem we’ve been working with different organisations to set up the Upfront football project to:

• Deal with these complaints from shoppers
• Give children who don’t go to football clubs or attend other youth activities something to do
• Encourage them to stay active by regularly playing a sport they enjoy
• Bring together young people from different communities.

The youth service made contact with these youngsters and organised volunteer coaches from Bedwell Rangers Football Club to offer 10 weeks of free football coaching at Shephalbury Sports Academy.

Because this was so popular we provided free transport and more sessions were organised, this time in parks, and Upfront is now an ongoing project. 

Just some of the comments from the children themselves included: “Can we do it again?” “Proper wicked” and “I’ve made new mates, you should carry this on.”

From September we will take it to Shephall Football Academy.

If you want more information about Upfront telephone 01438 242990, textphone 01438 242555 or email: communitydevelopment@stevenage.gov.uk

Partners in the Upfront project:

Bedwell Rangers Football Club, Connexions, Hertfordshire Constabulary, Hertfordshire County Council, Hertfordshire Football Association, local football clubs, Stevenage Borough Council, Stevenage Borough Football Club, Stevenage and North Herts Primary Care Trust, Stevenage School Sport Coordinator Partnership.