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Ref:412/07               2 October 2007

 Sports Scheme For Young People Receives Cash Boost From Ellesmere Port And Neston Locality Board

Ellesmere Port and Neston’s Locality Board has invested £2,500 in ‘Friday Night Fever’ - a scheme providing multi-sport activities for young people aged 11-16.

County Councillor and Locality Board Leader Derek Bateman, joined the Leader of Ellesmere and Neston Borough Council Justin Madders to visit the project which aimed at keeping young people healthy and off the streets.

With a variety of sports available each week ranging from basketball, dodge ball, badminton and trampoline to mini tennis, volley ball and netball, the scheme also allows 16-19 year-olds to develop their own coaching skills and gain relevant qualifications.

The scheme, largely funded by the Borough Council, is run by a committee of young people, all volunteers who either hold coaching qualifications or are in the process of achieving Community Sports Leaders Awards.

County Councillor Derek Bateman said: “This funding has allowed the committee to organise eight weeks of basketball and rugby with coaches coming from the local Ellesmere Port Panthers and the English Rugby Football Union.

“Past experience has shown that young people thrive off coaching sessions for these two sports so I am delighted that this money can go to such a good initiative.”

Each of Cheshire County Council’s six Locality Boards has a £5000 budget to invest in their local community. Ellesmere Port and Neston’s Locality Board chose to use theirs to increase interest in activities for young people.

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Photo Caption: Ellesmere Port and Neston Locality Board Leader Derek Bateman and Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council Leader Justin Madders observe one of the energetic activities at ‘Friday Night Fever’.

Note To Editors: For further information please contact County Councillor Derek Bateman on 0151 335 6575.