Amongst the groups who have been awarded the One Game, One Community Development Grants, the Preston United project caught our eye.
The project was started in 2002, "The club was originally born out of parks football," Project Manger Omar Khan told us. "Young Asian lads from the Deepdale area of the city regularly descended on pitches in the area to play. Equipment was, however, minimal. No bibs, cones or goalposts, just a football."
Recognising the obvious passion for football within the community, Omar knew what the project could do. "The level of interest was already high. I wondered what could be achieved if we gave it a little bit of structure." He also knew that it could be used as a vehicle in keeping young people away from the city's rising gun and gang problem.
Accreditations
"We began to apply for funding, CRB checks and other accreditations ensuring we achieved all the qualifications needed to deliver football coaching."
Six years on and the organisation has spread its wings across Preston. "We now work with over 100 young people from ages 5 to 25, providing not just football but a host of other activities that with people that help keep them away from the gang culture temptation."
For example, the project organise eight school holiday programmes every year with activities as diverse as swimming, boating and cricket.
Reality
The project also arranges for Category D prisoners, who are serving time in an open prison and given temporary release to work in the community, to talk to groups of 12- to 21-year-olds to raise awareness of the risks of guns and gangs and the reality of life behind bars.
According to Omar, there have already been 16 incidents of gun crime in Preston this year.
The project boasts three football teams; Under 10's, Under 14's and an adult team, not to mention two community development officers, four session workers and half a dozen volunteers consisting of parents and local students.
Volunteers
"We have people of all ages, religions and race linked to the organisation, without these volunteers working with young people in Preston simply wouldn't be possible."
One of them is Nafysa Patel, the first female chair of any community group in Preston.
The club has recently recorded another milestone, after being shortlisted for the Community Cohesion Award at this years Fusion Awards. "It's a massive achievement for us to be nominated. To be recognised by Fusion, who champion community work right across the north west, is vindication of all the hard work that's gone into making the project so successful."
The project will use the KIO funding to engage with young women from minority communities in Preston who are keen on playing football.
For more information email the project at prestonutdydprogok@hotmail.com
