A new mobile sports stadium will soon be travelling across Flintshire, to encourage young people – including those with drugs or alcohol issues, or anti social behaviour – into sports activities.
Flintshire’s Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Team and the Flintshire Youth Justice Service recently bought a mobile ‘Soccer Stadia’ with funding from the Welsh Assembly Government. The capital bid was highly praised for its innovative plans to engage hard to reach young people. Similar ‘stadia’ are used in inner cities, but it’s believed that this is the first to come to North Wales, where it will often be used in more rural settings.
The ‘stadia’ travels in a box trailer and can be easily transported and assembled. It can be placed almost anywhere to provide a focal point for all kinds of activity, including football, rugby, netball and street dance.
The aim is to attract young people to take part in a diversionary activity which directs them away from alcohol and substances misuse, and which may also help prevent anti-social behaviour. The ‘stadia’ comes with floodlights, and will also be used at times when anti social behaviour is known to take place.
These sports activities will increase the opportunities for young people to be sign posted to other agencies for support if required and to other universal sports or constructive leisure services within the area.
The Mobile Sports Stadia will be launched on Thursday 24 February 2011 at 6pm – 7pm at Flint Retail Park (across from Flint Pavilion). Opening the event will be representatives from the Crusaders Rugby League team and Chester FC, as well as a senior officer from Flintshire County Council.
Executive Members of Flintshire County Council, Councillor Carol Ellis and Councillor Dennis Hutchinson, will be at the launch. Also attending will be Sandy Mewies, AM, and Carl Sargeant, AM. David Hanson MP although unable to attend has given his full support to the project
Flintshire’s Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Team and the Flintshire Youth Justice Service would like to thank the Hollins Murray Group who are providing the Flint Retail Park car park free of charge.
