Cash injection for football team

A RUNCORN football youth team has received a boost with £1,736 from Cheshire’s police and crime commissioner David Keane.

BPR Leiria JFC is to use the cash to fund sessions for under14s and under-16s.

The club formed in 2002 by a Runcorn family who wanted to protect young people from being drawn into alcohol, drugs, and crime.

A spokeswoman for Mr Keane said it was the first junior football club in Cheshire to gain Football Association accreditation back in 2004 and since then, has been providing regular coaching from FA qualified coaches.

Julie Cole, of BPR Leiria JFC, said: “A lot of the young people that take part are from single parent or unemployed families.

“We do not want any child missing out on football because of their financial background so it’s great to be able to provide free sessions thanks to funding such as the grant we’ve received from the police and crime commissioner. The club’s not all about football.

“We also offer healthy eating and fitness advice and development opportunities such as encouraging young people to become a coach or referee.

“We have had several of our players go on to trials and contracts for professional clubs.

“With all participants in the club, we encourage them to respect others and follow a strict code of conduct.

“This keeps them focused and off the streets which helps the whole community.”

Mr Keane said: “BPR Leiria carries out fantastic work in the local community to ensure young people are supported and have a positive focus for their attention. Projects like this are what my Safer Communities Fund is about; empowering local people to make their communities safer places to live.

“By taking part in diversionary sports activities, young people will not only improve their fitness but will also engage more with their local communities and have a reduced risk of becoming involved in crime.”