News Archive

08 March 2010
SAINTS & COUNCIL LAUNCH 'STREET SPORTS FOR ALL'

St. Johnstone FC today launched an involvement in an innovative sporting partnership with Perth and Kinross Community Safety Partnership.

Funded by the Council, and under the banner of Street Sports For All, St.Johnstone coaches will take a mobile sports pitch to various locations throughout Perth & Kinross. The facility will be targeted towards areas where there are concerns about young people becoming involved in offending or antisocial behaviour.

It has been piloted successfully in a number of communities across Perth and Kinross, and, as well as bringing entertainment and health benefits for young people, it has been found to found to play a significant ‘diversionary’ role in reducing youth offending or reducing alcohol consumption by young people.

Street Sports has its own set of rules which centre on minimal contact, respect and fair play.

During breaks in play, local community police officers, youth workers, firefighters and community wardens can also come along and take the chance to introduce themselves to the young people in an informal setting and continue to build strong community relationships amongst each other.

Councillor Willie Robertson, convenor of Perth & Kinross Council’s Community Safety Committee, said:

“This partnership with St Johnstone is a really exciting development, and one which should expand the opportunities for young people to become involved in sporting activity throughout Perth and Kinross. St Johnstone’s involvement will increase the expertise available and has the potential to make a real difference in local communities.”

This enthusiasm was echoed by St Johnstone Chairman Geoff Brown who was on hand at today's launch.

He said, “St Johnstone FC is the only senior club in Perth and Kinross, and this initiative fits in very well with the club's successful community programme. In conjunction with Perth & Kinross Council and Tayside Police, we are looking to cover as wide an area as possible in order to benefit as many young people as we can”

Chief Superintendant Craig Suttie from Tayside Police said: "We are very supportive of the Street Sports for All initiative. This is a fantastic tool which enables various agencies to effectively engage with young people who might otherwise be difficult to reach. As well as delivering a much needed activity in areas which may be affected by anti social behaviour, it provides young people with positive role models and gives us the opportunity to find out what issues affect them. It also gives us the chance to build more meaningful relationships and breaks down barriers which may exist between some sectors of our local communities and the Police.”

PHOTO: Chairman Geoff Brown gets involved at the Street Sports For All launch today.