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Wigan Athletic Chairman Dave Whelan and Liverpool FC legend Dave Johnson
will put their football management skills to the test in a clash of the
football titans that underlines how community solidarity can be
harnessed through sport.
A representative team from Greater Manchester Police, managed by Dave
Whelan, will take on Dave Johnson’s Ashton Youth Team in the inaugural
Ashton Community Cup. The match kicks off at 12.30pm on Sunday 16th
September at Robin Park Arena, Wigan.
The match is organised by Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, in
partnership with Greater Manchester Police and the Ashton and Bryn
Township Community Safety Group. The idea for the game was born during
the weekly multi-sports sessions, delivered by the Trust’s Sport
Development Unit, that have taken place in Ashton and Bryn since 2006.
The sessions formed part of a programme of diversionary sports
activities for young people aged eight and over living in Ashton and
Bryn. The sessions have been successful in helping to tackle anti-social
behaviour in the area and have helped to forge better relationships
between the police and local youths.
Organiser Andrea Pilling, Community Sports Coach for Wigan Leisure and
Culture Trust, said: “This game is the result of the relationships we
have built with young people in the area through providing them with
positive things to do in the evenings. Over 10,000 young people across
Wigan Borough have been involved in the multi-sport sessions since they
began in 2006. We believe that physical activity is a great outlet for
young people and in this case it has helped to enhance the relationship
between them and the police.”
The work undertaken in Ashton and Bryn is an example of the successful
partnership work take place across Wigan Borough to tackle the issue of
anti-social behaviour. The Trust, GMP, Wigan Council and local
councillors have all supported the programme. The police have noticed a
marked decrease in incidents of anti-social behaviour in those areas
that had previously had a high volume of complaints from residents and
businesses.
John Mackey, Community Beat Manager for Greater Manchester Police, said:
“We are delighted that such high profile football people such as Dave
Whelan and Dave Johnson have agreed to support this game; it proves how
valuable the role of sport is to help build community spirit. The
activities that take place in Ashton and Bryn are really helping to
reduce anti-social behaviour. Both sides are looking forward to the
match and we hope it will help to strengthen the good relations we are
trying to develop with young people in Ashton and Bryn. We would also
like to thank all of the local businesses who helped to support this
event and Highfield Grange Athletic for helping in our preparations.”
Wigan Athletic Chairman Dave Whelan is supporting the game because of
the positive impact football had on him as a young person, he said: “I
left school at 15 and joined Wigan Boys Club. The club was crucial to my
development and was a way for many lads to get off the streets. Football
also taught us discipline and I hope this game will show the young
people of Ashton and Bryn that if they work hard and play hard they can
achieve great things. I hope this match encourages mutual respect and
solidarity between the two teams and I’m looking forward to leading the
police to victory.”
Liverpool and Everton legend Dave Johnson is passionate about the role
football plays in breaking down barriers, he said: “I think this game is
a fantastic way to show young people that behind the badge the police
are real people. I live in the Ashton area and strongly believe that
that the police and youths can work together to help improve community
spirit; this game is proof that it is already starting to happen. I am
thoroughly looking forward to managing the youth team and I’m sure we’ll
see a good game of football.”
The inaugural Ashton Community Cup is free to watch and kicks off at
12.30pm on Sunday 16th September at Robin Park Arena, Wigan. The match
is preceded by a 7-a-side mini ‘Champions League’ tournament starting at
10.30am. Teams from Orrell, Ashton, Abram and Golborne and Lowton
featuring 11 to 14 year olds will all be participating.
For more information about the game or about the regular sports sessions
that take place at Ashton Leisure Centre and other areas of Wigan
Borough contact the Sports Development Unit on 01942 404982.
-ends-
NOTES TO EDITORS: For further information on this press release please
contact Chris Dunbar, Media and Public Relations Manager, on 01942
486937 or at
c.dunbar@wlct.org
Sponsors and Supporters: The Ashton Community Cup is supported by: The
Ashton and Bryn Township Community Safety Group, Ashton and Bryn Ward
Councillors Brighter Borough Fund, JJB Sports, Mad Jacks (Rosebury
Taverns), MYL Security, Cain’s Butchers, Pazzaz, CNK Off License, and
Century Auto Care.
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. See
www.wlct.org
Getting Wigan Active: Getting Wigan Active is Wigan Leisure and Culture
Trust’s vision to help people across the Wigan Borough to become more
physically, mentally and creatively active. It also aims to increase
community activity and to encourage good citizenship.
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