Youngsters in North Sheffield to benefit from Forge Youth Football

A YOUTH group in Sheffield has received grant funding of £4,680 from the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner to provide football sessions to young people on a Friday night.

The funding awarded from the Commissioner’s community grant scheme will provide a nine month project for young people between the age of 11-year and 17-years, engaging them in diversionary football activities.

The project brings 200 young people from the Upperthorpe, Hillsborough, Winn Gardens, Crookes, Crosspool and Nether Edge areas of Sheffield to the football pitches based at Goodwin Sports Centre in Sheffield.

The free of charge activity is provided on a Friday evening. Teams of young people are formed and entered into a league of which 21 teams are involved. Many of the young people help with managing their own teams and refereeing. The matches are fun and competitive promoting teamwork and health and wellbeing.

Dr Alan Billings, South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner handed over a cheque to Sam Evans and Chris Nall from Forge Youth on Thursday, 31 January.

He said: “Forge Youth are providing diversionary activities in Sheffield for young people who might otherwise be on the street with little to do. I particularly welcome the way the young people take some responsibility for managing activities.

“The project provides free football sessions for young people from families who may be struggling to afford club fees and subs. It gives young people an enjoyable time and they learn some important skills as well.”

Forge Youth work with children and young people across Sheffield. Their work has a focus on the more deprived areas of Sheffield, seeing lives changed on a regular basis. They work in close partnership with many churches and other organisations across Sheffield to make the work happen.

Sam Evans from Forge Youth said: “We are very thankful for the support that the Police and Crime Commissioner has provided which has enabled us to engage with hundreds of young people on Friday evenings this year. The league has been running for over 10 years now and it is great to see the young people grow and mature through the football sessions.”

For more information on Forge Youth and how to get involved with the 5-a-side football league in Sheffield see the website here - www.forgeyouth.com/scyl