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Community Sports Development
Youth Sports Nights
Antisocial Behaviour
You will constantly read in the press and hear on the television or radio about youths causing antisocial behaviour and of the effects it has on local communities. On many occasions the behaviour is antisocial i.e vandalism, theft, intimidation and general rowdiness. This can be fired with alcohol or drug abuse.
On other occasions the ‘antisocial behaviour' is a perceived threat from large groups of young people gathering in one place. This can be intimidating for residents and for individual young people as well. As a means of protection for those individuals they will seek to form groups thereby offering themselves greater protection.
Antisocial behaviour orders (A.S.B.Os) are a legal means by which local authorities can break groups of youths up and move them on. But where do they move them onto? Usually it's just to a neighbouring area. This will satisfy the immediate demands of a community, but it's not a long-term solution.
Youth Sports Nights are one of the positive solutions to this very topical problem of antisocial behaviour
The Sport & Recreation Section of Wirral Borough Council is now in the final stages of providing activities free of charge at each of its 8 recreation centres on identified nights aimed specifically at local youths. Funded by a variety of organisations, activities such as trampoline, soccer, dance, basketball, netball, abseiling, rock climbing and fitness training are organised by qualified instructors.
Included in the Youth Sports Nights is a health aspect that deals with topical issues. These are emotional health and well-being, physical health, sexual relations and finally drug and alcohol misuse.
Working in partnership with the Community Safety Team, Youth Service, Youth Outreach Team, Youth Inclusion Project, Police, fire service, health promotion services and community groups' young people are encouraged to attend these ‘diversionary activities' The simple belief is that if young people are engaged in activities that they enjoy i.e. football and dance, then they will not be causing antisocial behaviour.
So where and when do the Youth Sports Nights take place?
Beechwood Recreation Centre
Saturday 5.00pm - 7.00pm
8 years - 17 years
Guinea Gap Baths & Recreation Centre
Friday 7.00pm - 9.00pm
13 years - 17 years
Guinea Gap Baths & Recreation Centre - Dance
Thursday 6.00pm - 8.00pm
8 years - 17 years
Grange Road West Sports Centre
Friday 8.00pm - 10.00pm
8 years - 17 years
Leasowe Recreation Centre
Wednesday 6.00pm - 8.00pm
8 years - 17 years
St Jospeh's Sports Barn, Wallasey
Thursday 7.00pm - 9.00pm
8 - 12 years
The Oval, Bebington
Saturday 6.00pm - 8.00pm
8 years - 17 years
Woodchurch High Sports Barn
Friday 6.00pm - 8.00pm
8 years - 12 years
Friday 8.00pm - 10,00pm
13 years - 17 years
Wirral Tennis & Sports Centre, Bidston
Saturday 4.30pm - 6.30pm
8 years - 17 years
West Kirby Concourse
Friday 7.15pm - 9.00pm
13 years - 17 years
Developmental opportunities:
The next stage for the Youth Sports Nights is to encourage partnerships with local clubs thereby giving young people the opportunity of improving within their chosen sports and making sport their way of life
Attention is now turning to additional daytime provision during the school holiday times
For Further details of the scheme please contact
Project Manager Mike Withy at The Caretaker's house, Grange Road West Sports
Centre, Birkenhead, Wirral.
Tel: (0151) 653 1313.
Fax: (0151) 653 1320
Email: communitysports@wirral.gov.uk
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