Hamilton football project is a real winner

Apr 30 2008 By Gary Fanning

A FOOTBALL project aimed at tackling youth disorder and gang violence in Hamilton has been hailed a success.

More than 30 youngsters from a Hamilton primary school had a ball when they took part in a 10-week football coaching programme.

Youngsters from St Mary’s Primary successfully completed the ’Kick It’ programme, delivered by police and partner agencies.

The children were involved in weekly football coaching sessions held at Hamilton Palace Sports Ground.

Police, councillors, partner agencies and parents were invited to the final training session at Hamilton Palace sports ground to see at first hand the good work being done by the programme.

Seven teenagers from Hamilton Grammar, Holy Cross and Calderside Academy helped to coach the pupils and, in doing so, successfully gained their Sports Leader UK ‘Young Sports Leader’ award.

South Lanarkshire’s divisional commander Tim Love said that additional police patrols would continue to target gang violence and youth disorder in Hamilton.

He added: “The Kick It programme is the perfect platform to facilitate better relations and help break down barriers between youths and authority workers living in the community.

“With the youths involved coming from different areas, it also helps tackle the issue of gang terrority that is often a common factor in youth disorder.

“I would urge young people, their parents, and members of the public to work with the police and our partners to tackle violence and antisocial behaviour.”

Our picture shows: Back row (left to right) Iain English, Tony Lewis (Fire and Rescue), Joe Kehoe (Police), Mark McLaughlin (Key Fitness project manager).

Middle row: Councillor John Murray (Hamilton and District Crime Prevention Panel), Chief Superintendent Tim Love, Mary Duckett and Jack Howie (both members of Hamilton and District Crime Prevention Panel), Constable Kirsty McKinlay and Scott Gow (Calderside Academy).

Front row: pupils Kieran McSherry, Paul Houston, Bobby Alexander, Jamie Burns, Aiden Cooney, Jamie Wilson and Scott Heaps, who took part in the project.