15 May 2008
The Archery Street Football League has been a resounding success attracting up to 70 young people every Friday night. Over the last twelve weeks eight teams from across Eastbourne have been battling it out to become champions. It went to the wire with Archery going on to win the competition on the final night. Tony’s Tuffs were crowned as fair play champions due to their consistency in turning up and their demonstration of fair play throughout the tournament.
The project has not only enabled many young people to take part in an activity like football, it has also given them the opportunity to build positive relationships with responsible adults who can support them in their personal and social development. During the presentation ceremony on Friday 16 May all the young people were congratulated on their positive behaviour during the three months and encouraged to spend more of their time taking part in activities.
Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Spokesperson for Housing, Health and Community Services Councillor Margaret Bannister says, “This has proved to be a very worthwhile project for the young people taking part. It has provided a wonderful opportunity for youngsters from all over the town to meet and interact in a constructive way.
I hope that more individuals will be encouraged to take part in future sessions so that we can build on the success of the last few weeks.”
The league has been set up and funded by Eastbourne Borough Council and Eastbourne Crime Reduction Partnership with the support of Brighton and Hove Albion and will continue to run through the summer with more teams and individuals welcome from across the town. Young people need to turn up to the Archery Recreation Ground between 7.00 and 7.15 to take part each week.
