The Crewe and Nantwich Street Sports Programme, run by the Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council Sports Development Team, has secured funding from the Co-operative.

The Co-operative’s pioneering scheme to tackle social exclusion and promote community cohesion was officially  launched in Crewe on Monday (19th May) in partnership with the Borough Council’s Street Sports programme.

Street Sports, which is affiliated to national sports charity StreetGames, is looking to recruit young people from some of the borough’s most deprived communities as Co-operative StreetGames Young Volunteers and will train them in a variety of sports and community leadership skills.

Streets Sports engages children and young people in structured sports activities, free of charge, on green open spaces or already established multi-use game areas in their community.

The newly elected Mayor of Crewe and Nantwich, Cllr Brian Silvester, attended the launch at the Cumberland Area on Monday, said: “StreetGames is the sort of programme that brings young people together in a very positive way.

“I am delighted that the Co-operative has put its energy and investment into this sort of high-visibilty community initiative and is working with the Borough’s Sports Development team to identify, encourage and train young volunteers.The Borough Council is doing everything it can to help channel young peoples' energies into useful activities.”

Over 1000 young people, aged from 6 to 19 years, have participated on the programme in the last year. The range of activities for young people includes football, netball, basketball, tag rugby, rounders and these take place during most weekday evenings, as well as a new Saturday morning session. The programme delivers sport to the doorstep of young people who are not members of sports clubs and are waiting for the chance to join in.

The programme is managed by the Borough Council Sports Development Team but relies heavily on a large team of qualified coaches and enthusiastic volunteers of all ages and backgrounds. The programme actively encourages older participants and local adults from the community to get involved with the delivery of sessions as they are often good role models who understand the youngsters.

For media enquiries please contact:
Geoff Beadle, (01270) 537231
Geoff.Beadle@crewe-nantwich.gov.uk
www.crewe-nantwich.gov.uk

Notes to editors

The programme is run by the Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council Sports Development Team and is funded by Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council and the Borough Safer Communities Partnership. In addition to this funding, several Ward Council Budgets and Parish Council Funds have also contributed for delivery in specific areas.