Howden Rotarians help steer youngsters into football

A football scheme aimed at steering youngsters away from crime is celebrating a cash windfall from Howden fundraisers.

The Grassroots Football project was launched in 2002 by Frank McKenna to get teenagers off the streets of Hull and into football.

Now, thanks to a £1,000 donation from Howden Rotary Club, the project will help young people pass formal sporting qualifications.

Mr McKenna, Grassroots sports co-ordinator for sports development, said: "We will put the money towards training more of our players to become referees and coaches.

"The project is a bit low on equipment, so this generous donation is very timely.

"Everyone involved would like to thank the Rotary club for the money, which will be well spent."

The Grassroots Football League started five years ago with Lottery funding.

It now has more than 600 players, both boys and girls, and more than 85 teams.

The league is funded by the Football Foundation, Tribune Trust and the Riverside Area Team.

In recent years, players from the project have triumphed in a number of Brazilian-style futsal tournaments, winning titles in Perth, Scotland and Barcelona, Spain.

The Rotary Club became involved with Grassroots after seeing a presentation by Mr McKenna and Kim Hepple from the scheme.

Rotarian Tony Horncastle said: "The organisation is just the sort of thing the community needs and one I would like to see rolled out across the city.

"Frank is fantastic with the youngsters, some of whom come from difficult backgrounds, and the project teaches them respect.

"It builds a bridge between sport and education and steers them away from the ills that plague society."