Kicking knives into touch
A team of young footballers in Knowsley are taking the battle against knife crime on to the pitch.
A squad from the Stockbridge Village Kickz project have won their way through to the North West final of the ‘It Doesn’t Have to Happen’ tournament.
It is part of a Government campaign, to give young people an understanding of the consequences of knife crime, encouraging them to ‘say no to knives’.
The ‘It Doesn’t Have to Happen’ project was conceived by the Home Office but developed by young people themselves.
It has been backed by the Kickz football scheme which provides coaching and matches for young people.
Regional football tournaments were arranged to raise awareness of the anti-knife crime campaign.
Twelve to sixteen year olds from across the country put on the strips of professional clubs to represent their local communities in a national competition.
The Stockbridge youngsters took part in the regional competition in Blackburn and have won a place in the final which will probably be played at Derby County’s Pride Park ground in May.
Cllr Bill Weightman represents the Stockbridge Village ward and has been a strong supporter of the Kickz project.
He said: “The power of football and premiership clubs in young people’s lives is tremendous.
“It is a great idea to link this appeal to a crucial campaign to let them know just how dangerous knives and carrying knives can be.
“The Kickz coaches said our local lads behaved excellently during the competition, both on and off the pitch and that the campaign had a really positive effect on them.”
The Kickz programme is backed by the Football Foundation, Premier League, Metropolitan Police and other forces around the country.
The anti-knife crime campaign has a dedicated website on the social networking site Bebo: www.itdoesnthavetohappen.co.uk
Pic Caption : The Stockbridge Kickz team wins through to the final of the ‘It doesn’t have to happen’ anti-knife crime tournament.


























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