YOUTH offenders could get the boot with a radical football programme aimed at curbing anti-social behaviour in Blackpool.
The Shooting for Success Scheme, in association with Blackpool Borough Council, will encourage young people aged between 10-16 who are most at risk of offending to become organised in structured football activities.
And a £161,500 grant from the UK's largest sports charity, the Football Foundation, is giving things a kick start.
The programme aims to steer youths away from anti-social behaviour by providing an outlet for boredom, frustration and anti-social behaviour as well as offering educational courses.
The aim of the project is to use football to help in the reduction of youth crime and general nuisance in the borough, combat social exclusion by providing free football coaching and activities to direct young people away from crime.
They will also have the opportunity, and will be actively encouraged, to study for FA coaching qualifications. Chairman of the Football Foundation Lord Pendry said: "Football can offer much more than 90 minutes enjoyment on a Saturday afternoon.
"The game has the ability to provide a wide range of opportunities for communities and has a proven success rate in tackling crime and anti social behaviour.
"The game can provide a vehicle for social regeneration and by working in conjunction with Blackpool Council and other agencies we can make a real difference both for the town and for the people of Blackpool."
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