Leek kick off community football

Leek Town are boosting their community work with two new projects up and running.

Leek Town Community, the Evo-Stik First Division South side’s charitable arm, has kicked off new Saturday morning football coaching sessions for youngsters and has also teamed up with the FA and sponsors Mars to create a ‘Just Play’ centre in Leek.

Mars are the FA’s adult football partner helping to increase participation in football for the over 16’s.

Town are doing their bit with the launch of two weekly ‘Just Play Centre’ sessions at nearby Birchall Playing Fields on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. Players are spilt into teams to play informal matches run by the club’s community coaches.

Leek’s Community Development Manager Steve Kell explained that the sessions for over 16s are designed as a fun way to get people enjoying their football and engaging in physical activity while playing under the Leek Town banner.

Kell said: “Due to many factors ranging from work patterns to family commitments, many adults can’t make the commitment to training once or twice a week plus a full day out for matchdays at weekends. So the 'Just Play Kickabout' centres have been launched to address that.

“Each session only costs £3 and everyone will get a loyalty card that will be stamped each week so they can be rewarded with free gifts and sessions.”

In the second community initiative, Leek’s Saturday football sessions for youngsters also take place at Birchall and are open to all boys and girls aged 6-12.

Organisers say the emphasis is again on fun while helping the budding stars learn new skills through small sided games.

The cost of the sessions are also £3 per child and they run from 10 to 11am. All staff are FA qualified, first aid trained and hold enhanced CRB checks. Parents can leave the children if they wish and collect them at the end of the session.

For more information contact Steve Kell, the Leek Town Community Development Manager, on 07826 206199 or email: leektowncommunity@hotmail.co.uk.