Hessle Twilight
Between 1830hrs and 2030hrs every Friday, during the summer break, PCSO Alex Collins and PCSO Chris Wray will be hosting seven free football sessions on King George V playing Fields, Beverley Road, Hessle, inviting anyone between the age of 12 and 16 to join in.
The sessions which were run last year saw a 40% reduction in calls for service relating to Anti-Social Behaviour compared to the previous year.
The aim of the sessions is to offer local children a diversionary activity on a Friday evening, to try to draw them away from possible boredom, under age drinking or anti social behaviour. It also gives the officers an opportunity to engage with the young people in an informal setting.
PCSO Alex Collins from Hessle Neighbourhood Police Team said: “I have loved football as a game for as long as I can remember. As a child I represented The East Riding and even had a trail for Newcastle. Nowadays I play as part of the Humberside Police men’s football team. Being an FA qualified coach; I wanted to use my skills as a way of engaging with the young people in the Hessle area.
“The first thing PCSO Wray and I did, was speak to Hessle Sporting Club, who kindly offered the use of their pitch and any equipment we require for the sessions for free.
“The goals have been provided by Hessle Youth Service and Tesco’s have donated Jaffa cakes and bottles of water for the participants who take part in the initiative.
“Being an avid Aston Villa fan and Chris a Manchester United Fan, we are on the look out for young local stars who can turn their boring Friday’s in to training to be the next world champion.
“Kids can just turn up and do not need to register. The Hessle Police Team have given out flyers in and around schools, Tweeted and sent text messages to local parents trying to generate interest. We have medals to give out to a few of the kids as well for things such as player of the match / most improved player.
“The main aspect of the Twilight Football sessions is playing football however the way the sessions are run means that the young people have down time were they are not playing and can speak openly with either myself or Chris about anything. Often with the lads of their age they have lots of questions about drugs, alcohol and issues in their communities.
“Chris and I will not be in police uniform and tend join in on the game as well as referee the matches.
“Both boys and girls are welcome; all they need to do is turn up in their kit with a pair of shin pads and will fill out an indemnity form on the night.
“By running the project we hope to reduce anti social behaviour, have mixed age of young people socialising together by working as a team and also for the kids to have a positive experience with their local Police team.”
Cottingham Twilight:
Every Friday evening throughout the Summer Holidays Twilight Football sessions will run between 1800hrs and 1930hrs for under 13’s and 1930hrs – 2100hrs for over 13’s on the Cottingham Pavillion King George V Playing Fields and are free of charge.
City Tigers Trust are kindly supporting the sessions and have offered to do the coaching.
King George V Sports Centre and the Friends of KG are providing the pitch for free.
The local Sainsbury’s, King Street and the Co-Op, on Crescent Street in Cottingham are both supporting the scheme by providing the participants with drinks and snacks.
Cottingham Parish Council has also donated £300 towards the cost, training and equipment.
The Twilight Project which was also run last year reduced Anti-Social Behaviour by 35% in the Cottingham area.
PCSO Paul Beecroft from Cottingham Neighbourhood Policing Team is in charge of running the Cottingham Sessions.
Anyone interested in attending either Twilight Football initiative, just need to turn up at the specified time.
