Kickz launched in Merton

Young people in East Mitcham, are the latest to benefit from the highly successful 'Kickz' football programme.

Thanks to a multi-million pound investment from The Football Foundation and the Metropolitan Police, 64 Kickz projects will be delivered across the capital, with two in every London borough.

In Merton the programme is supported by over £25,000 of funding from Harris Academy Merton and Merton Youth Service.

Every Premier League and Football League club in London are now involved in Kickz, which offers 12-18 year olds the chance to take part in positive activity three nights a week, 48 weeks of the year. The programme aims to 'build safer, stronger communities through the development of young peoples potential'.

A local partnership including Fulham FC, Harris Academy Merton, Merton Council, the Hub at Tooting & Mitcham, Pollards Hill Safer Neighbourhoods Team and Merton School Sport Partnership, will support the development of Kickz, which also gives young people the chance to volunteer and give something back to their community.

In addition to football coaching and competition, Kickz offers a range of other positive activities including other sports such as basketball and street dance, as well as music and arts workshops. Developmental and educational sessions are also run, dealing with issues such as healthy lifestyles and the dangers of getting involved in drugs and carrying weapons.

Kickz also aims to break down barriers between young people and local police officers. The expansion follows successful pilots at Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham, Brentford and Manchester City, which police say have contributed to reducing crime and anti-social behaviour in the community.