While the cream of Europe’s footballers take a mid-winter break, young people in Ashton were alive and kicking on Monday evening, during round two of Wigan Borough’s own version of the Champions League.
Over 100 young people aged from eleven to sixteen, took part in a series of 5-a-side games organised by Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s Sports Development Unit at Edmund Arrowsmith High School.
The tournament is currently touring the borough and this particular event was supported by Wigan Athletic - Football in the Community and the Ashton and Bryn Township Community Safety Group.
Andrea Pilling, one of Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s Community Sports Coaches, said,
“It was great to see so many young people involved and enjoying themselves this evening. Wigan Athletic are regulars here on a Monday evening and we provide a wide range of sporting activities, ranging from football to cheerleading, for local children to get involved in.
“I would also like to thank councillors Wilkes, Merry and Hodgkinson who are here every week providing the young people with refreshments and support. It has been a real team effort and we hope that young people will continue to come along to other activities.”
Monday night’s Champions League tournament brought an end to a two-year long series of activities in Ashton, funded by the Ashton and Bryn Township Safety Group.
Vice Chair, Co. Gary Wilkes said,
“Sadly, this is the end of a two year project to address the problem of anti-social behaviour in Ashton and Bryn. The project has been a huge success thanks to the input from the Bryn Ward Councillors, Bill Collier, Paul Fenton, Tony Smith, Carole Bradley, the Sports Development Unit and Friends around Bryn.
“Twenty two young girls took part in a cheerleading session tonight while the football was taking place. We have had activities like football, dancing, arts and crafts, face painting, and even media studies. This is the type of project the community needs to stop anti-social behaviour on our streets, and give children more positive things to do in the evenings, we now need to find more funding to carry on the good work.”
The Wigan Borough Champions League tournament now moves on to Hindley Leisure Centre on Friday 16th February and then Holgate Primary School in Orrell on Monday 16th April. A final round will take place at a venue to be announced in May.
Teams of up to eight players are invited to sign up for either of the two age categories, 11 and over or 15 and over. All teams must fill in an entry form, contact John McMullen on 01942 404956 for further details.
Multi-sport sessions for young people of all ages take place at Ashton Leisure Centre every Wednesday from 6pm to 7pm. Sessions will resume on 10th January 2007. For further information contact Andrea Pilling on 01942 404984.
Notes To Editors
For further information on this News Release please contact Chris Dunbar, Public Relations Manager, Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust on 01942 486937.
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust is a charitable trust working on behalf of Wigan Council to manage and support leisure and cultural facilities, initiatives and events for over 300,000 residents in the Wigan Borough.
Getting Wigan Active
Getting Wigan Active is Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s vision to ensure that people across the Wigan Borough have the opportunity to become more physically, mentally and creatively active. It also aims to increase community activity and to encourage good citizenship.
