WATFORD boss Aidy Boothroyd and three of his first-team squad officially launched a brand-new social inclusion scheme this afternoon (Thursday) at Watford's Westfield Community Sports Centre.

Hornets' stars Dan Shittu, Darius Henderson and Lloyd Doyley joined their manager in launching the Positive Futures project, which is being funded with £137,641 from the Football Foundation, the UK's largest sports charity.

Positive Futures will provide sport sessions in local facilities for disengaged young people in the Holywell ward of West Watford. The young people will also get the chance to learn skills, gain accredited awards, as well as the chance for volunteering opportunities and routes into employment.

Speaking at the launch, Aidy Boothroyd said: "The Positive Futures project is another exciting example of Watford Football Club making a real difference as a community club.

"I am delighted to see our partnership with the Football Foundation developing with another social inclusion project after the successes of the Safer Neighbourhood Football Project and Kickz."

Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: "The Watford Community Coaches have a well-deserved reputation for delivering high quality schemes.

"Football is proactively strengthening communities in truly amazing ways. It is thanks to the investment by the Premier League, The FA, Sport England and the Government that the Football Foundation exists to support projects like Watford's Positive Futures."

Positive Futures will deliver twilight and late night sports coaching sessions, providing year round provision in the targeted neighbourhood. Inter-estate leagues will bring sessions together to play against other inclusion projects run by the Watford FC Community Trust.

An educational programme delivered through Watford FC's Learning Centre based at the ground, will also provide innovative sessions to raise awareness and understanding of substance misuse, whilst further sessions will address personal and social development issues such as drug and alcohol abuse, the effects of smoking, anti-social behaviour, racial awareness and teamwork and motivation. Other recreational based activities such as DJ workshops and street dance.

Additional funding for the Holywell Positive Futures project has come from Total UK, Community Building Services, Watford District Council, Hertfordshire County Council and the Sanctuary Housing Association.

The Football Foundation also funds two other highly successful social inclusion schemes which are run by Watford's Community Trust: The Safer Neighbourhood Football Project and Kickz.

The Football Foundation is dedicated to revitalising the grass roots of the game, constructing modern football facilities, developing football as a force for social cohesion and as a vehicle for education in communities throughout the country. Funded by the Premier League, The Football Association, Sport England and the Government, the Football Foundation is the nation's largest sports charity with a £45m budget going straight into the heart of football.