THE spirit of football is changing the lives of disillusioned youngsters in deprived districts of Bolton.

While the life of a Premier League player may seem a world away to a youngster on a deprived estate, a new scheme is bringing them closer together.

Around 500 young people from Tonge Moor and Hall i' th' Wood now take part in structured weekly sports sessions at the Castle Youth Centre.

The area was prone to criminal activity and anti-social behaviour, but since the sessions were introduced crime figures have been reduced by almost a third.

The success of the scheme, which involves project workers as well as the police and Bolton Wanderers stars, reflects the hard work put into persuading young people to take part in constructive sporting activity instead of crime.

As one of the country's top 20 most-deprived wards, Tonge Moor was chosen as the first site in Bolton for the Kickz programme, which is spearheaded by the Football Foundation charity.

Using the youth centre as a base, a team of 19, along with council youth workers, provide three activity sessions each week - including football coaching, gym sessions, wrestling, karate and boxing - 48 weeks a year, for young people aged between 12 and 18.

Others can include developmental activities such as music workshops or drug awareness sessions, or alternatively another sport such as basketball or street dance.

Chris Bateman and other staff work closely with workers from Bolton Council's youth services and sports health inclusion team.

He said: "We run two sessions. The first one for 10 to 12-year-olds, and we normally get anything up to 35 kids coming. They can play football or do aerobics, boxing or wrestling, karate or basketball.

"We have another session for 13 to 19-year-olds and have five-a-side football, a full gym session with an instructor, boxing, karate, table tennis and pool. Some girls have even been horse riding.

"The older age group can also have a go at being an MC and DJ-ing. There is a council-run youth club council with a pool table and other facilities."

He added: "We have around 500 young people coming through the doors during the three days of sessions.

"Often during the sessions police officers and community support officers drop in to talk to the young people and to help in the sessions."

The project is aiming to "home grow" the youth leaders, volunteers and coaches of the future.

Some youngsters who show commitment to the project are offered coaching and volunteering opportunities, and once accredited some have been offered employment through the project as a role model for others.

Chris and the staff are thankful for the support of Cllr Frank White, and work closely with Glenn Keeley, a former Wanderers player who is now football development officer at Bolton Council, and Ian McEwen, facility manager at Castle Hill youth services.

One of the best success stories of Kickz has been the two senior football teams who, wearing Wanderers colours, played in finals against other Premier League club-sponsored teams at Manchester City's ground.

The Bolton under-18 boys won their final against Everton and the under-16s lost to Manchester City.

The Kickz scheme started in late 2006 in Bolton when Wanderers became involved through their Footballing in the Community scheme.

Since then, the scheme has taken off and its success in reducing anti-social behaviour and crime in and around the Tonge Moor area has meant other parts of town are now clamouring for similar schemes.

Anthony Schiavo, Kickz project manager, said: "The 20 Premier League clubs are driving the social inclusion agenda forward, having a tremendous impact on young people's lives and particularly those at risk of becoming involved in anti-social behaviour, youth nuisance and criminality, working in some of our most deprived areas and estates.

"The Bolton Wanderers Kickz project has had an terrific impact, working out of the Castle Hill Youth Centre.

"In October, 2006, Wanderers got involved through and it has really taken off in Bolton so much so that we are being asked to do this all over town.

"Greater Manchester Police are getting involved with officers and community support officers who turn up on an ad-hoc basis and help out.

"The police are paramount to the success of the scheme as they can help break down barriers between young people and the police."

  • Find out more at the website www.footballfoundation.org.uk