ON Tuesday 29th July, Watford FC's Community Sports and Education Trust launched the start of a new Positive Futures session on the Rookery Estate in Watford.

The Positive Futures Scheme comprises of football sessions with Watford's community coaches and is aimed at local young people who have either self-referred or been referred by the local PC's and PCSO's working in the area.

Once accepted on to the scheme the participants must sign a contract to say that their behaviour both on the pitch and in society will not lead to them causing anti-social behaviour or criminality.

The Positive Futures Project has already proved extremely successful on the Holywell ward in West Watford which has seen both crime and anti-social behaviour decrease since the introduction of the project.

The Mayor of Watford Dorothy Thornhill was present last Tuesday along with local young people and Watford footballer Mat Sadler.

PSCO Dominik Tokarczyk added: "There is nothing in Riverside, no youth club or community centre.

"These sessions are to encourage kids to come and join in and get off the streets. It's something they can enjoy, make new friends at and hopefully help them realise there's more than just hanging around the streets."

The Riverside project has already secured funding from Watford Council's anti-social behaviour co-ordinator, but requires a further £17,000 per year for the next three years to deliver the same programme of activities that the Holywell receives.

It is hoped that a mixture of local organisations/companies will be able to access small pots of money to help fund this project.

Positive Futures Project Officer, Gary Clifford added: "This is an exciting time for the project as we look to expand and engage with more vulnerable young people.

"We have had really encouraging feedback from a number of significant people on the project we have been running on the Holywell and we aim to have the same impact on the Riverside Estate.

"I'm really hoping that funding can be secured through local organisations and companies because I have seen the positive effects a project of this nature can have on young people and the community as a whole."

Sessions take place at Riverside every Tuesday between 6-7pm for children aged between 10-13 years and 7-8pm for 14-18 year olds.

For further details please contact Gary Clifford on 01923 496372 or email gary.clifford@watfordfc.com.

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