Henry Smith MP will be joining the Crawley Town Supporters Alliance (CTSA) and former Reds player Sergio Torres to visit the newly-established Kicks project, which is being delivered by the Crawley Town FC Community Sports Foundation (CSF).
The Kicks project, now in its ninth year nationally, is a community safety initiative, and is taking place in over 100 projects by football clubs and local area partnerships throughout the country.
Henry commented;
“I am looking forward to seeing the great work of the Crawley Town FC Community Sports Foundation. I know that its Manager, Birtug Kazim, has been working tirelessly on this project, which really is of great value to our town.
“I am grateful to the CSF, as well as the CTSA, for what they are doing to help people across Crawley, and the ways they are constantly seeking to engage with local people. It is fantastic to see the Foundation, along with Crawley Borough Council, Crawley Boxing Club, Sussex Police and Street360 working together for the good of young people in the local area.”
Carol Bates, Chair of the Crawley Town Supporters Alliance, said;
“I have visited the programme on a few occasions and have seen, first hand, the excellent work that’s put in by the Foundation. As well as football coaching, there has been a visit by Paul Mortimer from Kick it Out who engaged brilliantly with the young people, in what were very informative talks.
“There have also been other activities, including boxing and hopefully more to come in the future. The Kicks programme is the CTSA’s Community Initiative for this season and we are hoping to raise as much money as possible to put into the programme for the young people of Crawley.
“Any sponsorship or donations to help us increase our fundraising would be very welcome.”
Sergio Torres, who was co-opted by the CTSA Board as a goodwill ambassador in the local community, will also be on hand to see the Kicks project, which is delivered on Friday nights.
The programmes work by football clubs acting with partners in local councils, with police and community and voluntary sector agencies among others, to deliver football, sport and various workshops. These are designed to provide positive experiences and opportunities for young people, to steer them away from potential anti-social behaviour or crime.
The CTSA has backed the community work of the Foundation this season, and is donating its fundraising back into community work taking place around town.
For more on the Crawley Town FC Community Sports Foundation, please visit www.crawleytownfc.com/team/community. For information on the Crawley Town Supporters Alliance, please visit www.ctfcsa.co.uk
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Notes
For further information, please contact:
Birtug Kazim
Manager, Crawley Town FC Community Sports Foundation