Late night soccer fun
CALLING all soccer players in Arklow between the ages of 13 and 17. The FAI Late Night League (LNL) is a diversionary programme incorporating soccer leagues at various locations across Ireland since 2008 and it is happening right now in Arklow.
It is aimed at encouraging young people to participate in meaningful activities, thus reducing anti-social behaviour involving young people. The Late Night Leagues programme is open to young people aged 13 – 17 and is for both boys and girls. The programme takes place during prime anti-social hours such as Friday nights.
The initiative is based around the concept of using football as a tool for social inclusion and learning. Through partnership and interagency co-operation the Late Night Leagues aim to:
Divert youths from crime and anti-social behaviour. Encourage at risk young people to participate in meaningful activities, thus reducing anti-social behaviour.
Promote and further engage with youths and communities. The leagues are run by the FAI’s co-funded development officers in conjunction with the local authorities Garda Siochana
An Garda Siochana have recognised the value of football as a community policing tool, therefore creating an opportunity for Garda to develop informal channels of communication with a different target group, and improved community relations.
During the period while the Late Night Leagues was ongoing last year, public offences involving youths aged 13-18 years old reduced by 21 per cent across the sub-districts where the Late Night Leagues were in place.
In regard to calls for service to An Garda Siochana Command & Control Centre, comparing the same period outside of the leagues, there was a 26 per cent decrease in public order Garda assistance calls where leagues took place.
The Late Night Leagues programme that is been run in Arklow United facilities at the moment have been co-ordinated by the FAI Wicklow Development Officer Richard Fitzgibbon, An Garda Siochana Arklow, KWETB Sports Promotion Unit Officer Graeme Walsh and the programme is organised and facilitated on a weekly basis by coaches Jim Barnes, Amy Guilfoyle and Sean Mulligan.