No bonfire blues thanks to project

Nov 11 2008 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

AN INNOVATIVE sports project aimed at keeping youngsters out of trouble on bonfire night has been hailed a great success.

Street Sports for All, a mobile sports facility, targets areas where there have been problems in the past, and encourages young people to play football or basketball rather than messing about with fireworks.

Last year there were zero incidents within the targeted areas and so far this year the signs are that this could be repeated.

Street Sports For All is a Perth and Kinross Safety Partnership funded initiative aimed at diverting young people from committing anti-social behaviour and helping to channel them into more productive activities.

As well as playing sport, several teenagers have gone on to gain coaching qualifications, thus enhancing their employment prospects as well as being able to give something back to their own communities.

Dave Black, Tayside Fire and Rescue’s Community Safety Officer for Perth and Kinross, said: “This is a fantastic way for our local firefighters and young people to get to know each other, to help everyone understand how their respective behaviours and attitudes can impact on each other and the community.

“I am convinced that this initiative between Street Sports for All and Tayside Fire and Rescue plays a major part in helping to keep our communities safer, which is surely a good thing.

“It is far better to try and avoid firework-related incidents than to have to deal with them after they have been committed.

“I would like to thank our local firefighters and Keith Wellstood, the co-ordinator for Street Sports and his volunteer staff of young people for helping make this happen.”