Mobile football pitch arrives in Coatbridge

Jul 22 2009 by Wendy Scott, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

COATBRIDGE youngsters were on the ball when a mobile football pitch arrived in town.

North Lanarkshire Council’s Football Development Department are providing the programme, currently a pilot scheme running until July 31.

It is operated along with the Community Safety Partnership and North Lanarkshire Council using a portable pitch to take Street Football out into our communities.

The pitches, costing in the region of £14,000, come in sections which are put together by a team of four council football development coaches.

When assembled the fully enclosed pitch is suitable for 4v4 or 5v5 small-sided games depending on the age of players involved.

At the moment there are about 50 youngsters and parents at each session and there are on average 17-20 sessions planned throughout the summer during which it is hoped bring a football platform to as many young footballers as possible.

Players from five to 19 years can take part.

The programme plans to select a team of seven players from each area and have a finals day at Broadwood Stadium in August where players and families will all be welcomed along to enjoy a day of fun, skills and competition.

Colin Scott, senior community coach with NLC Football Development Department, said: “The programme has been set up with the help of the Community Safety Partnership and is aiming to reduce local youth disorder as well as allowing young footballers within NLC to showcase their footballing talents, skills, tricks and flicks.

“We have visited six of our planned 17-20 areas and have attracted on average 45 players at each session. In addition to this there has been a huge interest from local parents and surrounding residents from each area.

“All in all the programme has been a tremendous success up until now and will hopefully continue to offer a platform for the young people Monklands in the future.”

Monklands Police Chief Inspector John Fitzpatrick said: “It was heartening to see the enjoyment that this venture gave to the kids who took part and all credit goes to Willie McNabb and his colleagues from Learning & Leisure for delivering this fantastic facility.

“It is an excellent example of our partnership working and I believe it will go from strength to strength.Š I hope the children of Airdrie get as much out of this when it comes to their area."