Sports Sessions For Young People In Rural Newport

Young people in rural parts of Newport are being invited to take part in a series of sports sessions.

The sessions, which take place every Wednesday afternoon during the summer holidays at Edgmond playing fields, have been organised by Newport Rural Local Policing Team and Telford & Wrekin Council.

The sports sessions, which incorporate various activities including games of rounders and non-stop cricket, have been organised to give young people the opportunity to get involved in sport and make new friends and to prevent children from the area becoming involved or committing anti-social behaviour.

A total of 32 young people are allowed to take part in any one session and those interested are urged to sign up.

Police Constable Tracey Tonks, Local Policing Officer for Newport Rural, said the sessions were taking place on Edgmond fields, where the multi use games area and pod was set up back in 2009 following consultation with young people in the area. She said it was pleasing to see young people continuing to use the area to get together and take part in sports.

She said: "These sessions enable young people from the rural community to meet in a safe and organised environment. It gives them the opportunity to make new friendships and direct them towards sport.

"It also reinforces they utilise the multi use games area and pod, thereby diverting them at other times during the year, away from other areas where they could be seen as committing anti-social acts.

"The sessions also provide an ideal networking opportunity for parents and the Local Policing Team, who use the events to interact with all of those who attend."

The sessions were made possible following a grant of £500 from the Community Safety Fund.

Any young people from rural parts of Newport who are interested in taking part in the last few sessions are urged to sign up or pop along to the event.

Throughout the school holidays West Mercia Police is running a Respect campaign which promotes a range of measures the police and its partners have set up to reduce anti-social behaviour, raise awareness of the impact anti-social behaviour can have on others, and encourage respect and tolerance.

Issued: Monday, 13 August 2012