A shot in the dark at late night 5-a-sides
Portable pitch set up in high street
West Lothian Youth Foundation brought their Midnight League session to Bathgate’s town centre.
Using a portable pitch on George Street, it offered youngsters aged 12 to 16 the opportunity to go along and play a game of five-a-sides.
This pop- up session was the first in Bathgate and it was a huge success with a number of young people taking advantage of the unique opportunity of playing football under the street lights.
Working closely with Police Scotland and West Lothian Council, the Foundation look to provide youngsters with something to do on a Friday or Saturday night to prevent them from causing anti- social behaviour or underage drinking, although sessions are open to young people who are just looking for a game of football.
WLYF Co-ordinator Andrew Cowan was pleased with their first event in Bathgate. He said: “This pilot pop-up version of Midnight Leagues breaks down the barriers for young people to come and play football in a safe, supervised surrounding on their doorstep.
“It is rare these days to see kids playing football on the street due to the amount of traffic and dangers nearby.
“To hire a decent facility requires costs that not all young people have and the Midnight League gives them something to do with their friends.
“They are less likely to get into trouble with the police and it keeps them active in a positive manner as well as meeting new people and creating new friendships.”
On the night, Community Police Officers David Arnott and Nadia Munro attended the session to support the WLYF coaching staff and even got involved in a match against the teenagers.
PC Arnott said: “This is a fantastic thing that WLYF have organised and Police Scotland are more than happy to support an event such as this.
“We enjoy getting involved, it shows the young people attending that the police show respect to them and that we aren’t just looking to prevent any issues but to support and give advice to them.”
On the back of the success of the pilot match, WLYF will be holding a second Pop-Up Midnight League session in the same location in Bathgate on Saturday, March 17 from 6.30 until 9.30pm with additional venues to follow throughout the year.
The session is free to attend for anyone aged between the ages of 12-16.
The WLYF Midnight League project runs at Xcite Craigswood Sports Centre, Fauldhouse Partnership Centre and Blackburn Community Centre on a weekly basis with around 100 kids attending the sessions.
For further information please contact the West Lothian Youth Foundation by email at info@ wlyf. org.uk.
It’s rare these days to see kids playing football on the street