Project wins award for aiding youngsters

Archived press release

Date Published: 12/12/08

A pioneering project aimed at improving sporting opportunities for young people in Aylesbury Vale has won a prestigious award.

Street Sports, an initiative run by Aylesbury Vale District Council, claimed the Sports Project with Impact, Innovation and Partnership award at this year’s Bucks Sports Awards.

The project, co-ordinated by the council’s sports development team, uses partnerships to create new opportunities for young people in priority areas to take part in sport.

More than 1,500 youngsters across Aylesbury Vale have taken part in a variety of sports including football, rugby and basketball since the project began in February this year.

AVDC developed the project in partnership with community youth workers from Buckinghamshire County Council, police community support officers, local community networks and local football clubs.

Councillor David Thompson, Cabinet Member for Leisure, said: “We are extremely proud to win this award as it proves how successful our Street Sports initiative is. The nature of our success has been due to the partnership approach we have taken to delivering the project as we have found this to be key in engaging with young people and the local community. Hopefully we can encourage more organisations to work with young people on future programmes like ours.”

For more information about Street Sports activities, call AVDC’s sports development team on 01296 585233 or email sports@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk