A new Kicks session based at Broadfield School has proven a huge hit with local youngsters – in total 100 young people have attended the project, with over 40 regularly attending the weekly sessions.
The sessions, which run every Tuesday night (6-8pm) are delivered by OACT coaches and funded by Oldham Council Distrcit Team and the Greater Machester Police Aris Fund. The project has proved so popular that local councillors have stepped in and helped the project to continue for the immediate future.
The new Kicks project aims to engage with young people from the local area using sport as a way to break down barriers and introduce safe and structured provision into the area. The project sees a multitude of different backgrounds and ethnicities all coming together in one place weekly to take part.
Nikki Quigg, Oldham Council Community Development Officer comments: “Thanks to the partnership with Oldham Athletic Community Trust we have engaged over 100 young people in the Hathershaw area.
"These sessions have been a great way for young people to get to know each other, keeping them active and fit. Due to the hard work of the staff making these sessions a success we have been able to find additional funding from the local Councillors to continue it.”
The Tuesday night Kicks session is just one of many Kicks sessions currently being delivered around Oldham by the Community trust team, in total weekly there are 10 Kicks sessions delivered with unto 400 attendees throughout the week.
Martin Vose, OACT Community manager added: “Kicks is a vital part of the work we do. We provide free evening provision to young people around the borough 6 nights per week, that includes two Saturday night sessions.
"We’re dedicated to helping our local community with a passion for using local facilities for local people. Our Kicks project continues to grow and expand as the need for safe, local and reliable provision for young people only increases.”