Doncaster Rovers are reaching out to at-risk local youngsters with a new project aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour.
The club’s Community Sports and Education Foundation is running a ‘Kickz’ programme, featuring football sessions and educational workshops, in a bid to improve neighbourhood relations in two of the most deprived areas of Doncaster.
Doncaster Rovers’ project co-ordinator Shaun Ireland said: “We are looking to inspire those who have previously been difficult to reach through a range of sporting and non-sporting activities. The Kickz model has had great success across the country, which we are hoping to replicate here in Doncaster.
“The goal of Kickz is to educate young people and use football as a way to instil confidence, self-belief and respect. Our previous community initiatives have been very successful, giving participants employment opportunities and new skills, and we hope this new project will achieve similar results.”
Kickz is a national scheme with programmes offered by more than 40 Premier League and Football League clubs. Rovers’ project will use facilities at Balby Carr Community Sports and Science College on three evenings per week for 48 weeks of the year.
The programme has received funding and support from 12 organisations, including NHS Doncaster, South Yorkshire Police, Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council and Serco.
South Yorkshire Police superintendent Peter Norman said: “It is important that as a society we use initiatives like this to connect with young people and show them the right path.
“Doncaster Rovers do some excellent work in the local community and our partnership with them has been very beneficial.”
Doncaster Rovers Community Sports and Education Foundation is a charity which encourages participation in sports, social inclusion and health and wellbeing. For more information, visit www.drfc-community.co.uk, call 01302 764 663 or email foundation@doncasterroversfc.co.uk