Issued 5 September 2008

LAST weekend saw the culmination of a summer full of football as the Lochaber Street League drew to a close.

The hugely popular league, organised by Northern Constabulary PC Brad O’Neill in conjunction with various other agencies concluded with a massive tournament last Saturday (30 August 08) which featured over 200 youngsters from across Lochaber.

All the youngsters who play in the league throughout the summer are put into 5-a-side teams and take part in the tournament every year at the same time.

There are DJs and buffet food available throughout the day thanks to local businesses and supermarket chain Lidl. Every child that comes along also receives a free Street League t-shirt.

The Street League is run by representatives from Northern Constabulary, Lochaber’s community councils, The Highland Council, Highland and Islands Fire and Rescue Service and local businesses.

The aims of the league, apart from offering youngsters an opportunity to play sport, are social integration, non-formal education, sustainable crime reduction and health. Youth workers from Education, Culture and Sport also attend the matches to speak to children about any issues they may have.

Although similar scheme are being run across the Force area, such as in Inverness, this initiative is unique in that it gives youngsters who are on the fringes of committing acts of anti-social behaviour a chance to become involved in the organisation of the league.

The youngsters are able to make decisions, which give them a sense of responsibility and help them to change their attitudes about life in general.

PC O’Neill said: “Before the street league started we had three youngsters who were involved in over 50 incidents to which the Police were called.

“Since then they have gone on to secure employment and have stopped offending.”

The street league has been running since the beginning of June and matches take place twice a week. Teams come from all over Lochaber from as far afield as Mallaig.

The season will close on September 12 with an end of season presentation by the Provost Alan Henderson at Caol Community Centre. Around 400 people are expected to attend and youngsters will receive achievement trophies, provided by local businesses and agencies.

The street league is open to youngsters between 7 and 16 years old and part of the decision making process they are involved in includes picking their own teams and basically running them like a football manager.

PC O’Neill added: “The youngsters have so much involvement in the whole process and that is the crucial part.

“We also encouraged teams from all over Lochaber to join to break down the territorial barriers between towns and villages. This increases social integration, which is so important at that age.”

The organisers and youngsters hold regular fundraising events and as a result of the money raised they purchased aluminium goals (costing £2000) which have been placed on previously disused council ground.

PC O’Neill concluded: “The Street League has made a massive impact on community spirit. We have seen a massive reduction of instances of anti-social behaviour involving youngsters.

“Our long term hope is that the responsibility the youngsters are given will steer them away from a life of crime and allow them to build a life and a career.”

ends