The west Oldham Neighbourhood Police team have challenged youths from Alexandra Youth Inclusion Project to an 11-a-side football match. The match has been planned for several weeks with the young people taking part in weekly coaching sessions held on Cherry Avenue Kick Pitch by Oldham Athletic Community Trust and Oldham's Integrated Youth Service.
James Brennan from Alexandra YIP said "This project has been really useful for all who have been involved. The young people have gained a lot more respect towards the police in their area, there is better communication between the young people and the police and a much better understanding of how anti-social behaviour can impact on all aspects of the community."
Greater Manchester Police spokesperson Nathan McLennan reinforced this view saying that "It will be a good afternoon because not only will it give the local youths the opportunity to put what they have learned during the coaching sessions into practise on the pitch, but also, it gives the local officers the opportunity to get to know them on a different level out of a policing environment." The match is to be played on Chapel Road on Friday 29 October at 2pm.
The match is part of ongoing work between the police and youths living in Alt and Holts, earlier in the week the young people spent the day at the police museum in Manchester.
The Alexandra Youth Inclusion Project is a service managed by Positive Steps Oldham. For more information on the work of the Project contact Adrian Ball, Director of Prevention on 0161 621 9355.
